Fundamental Evangelical Association Tracts

I personally Attended the Fundamental Bible Church with my wife for almost 3 years in beautiful, Los Osos, California, in the early 1990's. We never missed a Bible Study or Church service and even helped with the Fundamental Evangelical Association, stuffing envelopes; this went on for almost 3 years and they were some of the best years of my life spiritually. It was  complete pleasure living there sharing it all minute by minute with the Lord back then. This is the most I could get from this webpage because it needs to be backed up out of my love for this ministry to America and the world. I used to hand out some of these evangelical tracts with my wife in the shopping malls of San Luis Obispo, CA.

AD 2000 ECUMENICAL EVANGELISM --- A Warning! NO OTHER GOSPEL    "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.   As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be ac- cursed"--Galatians 1:8,9. God's Holy Word, the Bible, makes it very clear      that there is only one Gospel to be preached today.   Without equivocation God says that anyone who preaches any other Gospel is under His curse. Why? Because any other Gospel is a perversion of the one true Gospel. So strong is the command of God in this matter that the Holy Spirit makes it plain that if the apostle Paul were later to bring another gospel; or if an angel from Heaven should preach any other Gospel, Paul himself and/or any such angel would be under God's curse.   Read carefully Galatians 1:6-10.    The only Gospel which can save anyone is the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is the only Gospel which is, "...The power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16).   It is the Gospel pro- claimed throughout the New Testament including Rom. 10:8-17; 1 Cor. 15:1-11; Eph. 2:1-10; and Titus 2:11-15 to cite only a few confirmations of this im-

portant truth.    It is the privilege and responsibility of believ- ers to preach that one true Gospel "to every creature," beginning at home and reaching out to others around the world as God makes that possible. Those who know and have believed the Gospel, love the Gospel and have a sincere desire to see others saved also. Those who have no such concern for the eternal, spiritual condition of the lost are either terribly backslidden or have been deceived by preach- ers of "another gospel" resulting in their being professors of salvation rather than possessors of eternal life.    Without question, there is a great need today for every true believer to do everything Scripturally possible to preach the one true, soul-saving Gospel to as many as possible as soon as possible. Time is running out. The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Admittedly, the need is great and urgent! However, this Scriptural desire to evangelize the world should never entice believers to employ unscriptural meth- ods or form unbiblical alliances in evangelism. Yet, that is exactly what is happening before our very eyes as leaders from Protestant, Evangelical, Pente- costal, Charismatic, Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches are saying with one voice, "We must forget our differences and all join together to evangelize the world for Christ by the year 2000. We cannot reach this goal alone."   Such a proposal has an understandable appeal to every Christian, until it is examined in the light of the Scriptures.    First of all, this proposal for "all Christians" to forget their differences and unite for the purpose of evangelizing the world, completely ignores the fact that Roman Catholic, Orthodox and many Protes- tant churches preach another gospel--a false gos- pel--a gospel which rejects salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and makes baptism and other so-called "sacraments" and good works essential to salvation. To join hands, there- fore, with those who preach a false Gospel is abso- lutely forbidden by God. Christians can never ac- complish the task of world evangelism by uniting with those who are under God's curse. It can only be 2

human reasoning, lack of spiritual discernment, and satanic deception which have led so many Christian leaders and others who do believe and preach the one true Gospel, to express a willingness to join hands with those who preach a false gospel.    In the second place, those who attempt to justify unscriptural alliances in the preaching of the Gospel on the basis that "it is impossible to accom- plish the task of world evangelism in any other way," are flying in the face of God's strong condemnation of those who say, "Let us do evil, that good may come..." Romans 3:8. Satan has promoted this false philosophy through the years. It is a major tenet of Godless communism -"The end justifies the means." It has been used by the Roman Catholic church through the centuries to build its size, wealth and power. It would be a tragedy of greatest possible proportions if Bible-believers in these last days were to be deceived by the same satanic philosophy, only this time when it is applied to the mission of world evangelism.    Many religious leaders are calling the 1990's The Decade of Evangelism.   Already the Charis- matic-Catholic coalition called the North American Renewal Service Committee [...] was formed in the mid 1970's. Under the theme "A Congress on the Holy Spirit and Evangelism," this unscriptural coalition held three large meetings-Kansas City in 1977, New Orleans in 1987, and Indianapolis in 1990. These huge rallies brought together a veritable "mixed multitude" of Roman Catholics, Charismatics, Pentecostals, Evangelicals and Ecumenists with a goal of attaining greater "unity and power." However, such mixtures can never be justified without disobeying, ignoring or twisting the Scriptures.    Sadly, the vast majority of Christians today are in the same situation described by God in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...."They are either uninformed or are being misinformed as to the true situation concerning the apostasy and compromise of churches and denominations. They simply do not know what is really going on behind the scenes. But how could they know? Evangelical leaders such as Billy

Graham, Bill Bright, Leighton Ford, Luis Palau, and others are trying to appease those on both sides of the theological fence. To make matters worse, many fundamentalists have delayed so long in telling their people the truth, that they now remain silent for fear of losing members and support, even though the situation grows worse by the moment.    The program called AD 2000 Evangelism is unscriptural and very deceptive. While not every religious group uses this exact terminology, they all agree that it is a wonderful idea for Christians to forget their differences and work together in evangelism so that the task of evangelizing the world can be completed by the year 2000. Such words easily capture the fancy of the Church and the world, but are contrary to the Bible. God's Word says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Ephesians 5:11. What is more clearly an unfruitful work of darkness than the preaching of a false gospel?    It is, therefore, deplorable to realize that many evangelical and fundamental leaders who have the ears and eyes of multitudes through their publications and radio and television broadcasts, give absolutely no word of warning. In fact, they encourage their followers to participate. [...]

[...] "ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD FORGET THEIR DIFFERENCES AND JOIN FORCES TO EVANGELIZE THE WORLD BY THE YEAR 2000." On the basis of this attractive proposal, we are now witnessing the greatest and most deceptive push toward ecumenical apostasy the world has ever seen. Joining hands with "all" professing Christians to fulfill the Great Commission under the banner of AD 2000 Evangelism has added appeal by the further suggestion that the world could be completely evan- gelized by such a united effort during the next decade, and that this would constitute a wonderful 2000th birthday present for Christ.    [...]The AD 2000 Ecumenical Evangelism Program is receiving un- precedented favorable responses from those who fail to recognize the unscriptural principles upon which any such movement could possibly function. Thus, an ecumenical- evangelical steamroller is being created of unparalleled proportions. In the past, efforts by liberal ecumenical leaders to forge an unscriptural unity on the basis of "peace," "love," "social action," etc., have failed. However, it now appears that this newest tactic of Satan to produce an unscriptural, ecumenical unity through the use of "Evangelism" has a great potential for success unless God's people wake up to what

ALONE

It is human to stand with the crowd; it is divine to stand alone.   It is man-like to follow the peo- ple, to drift with the tide; it is God-like to follow a principle, to stem the tide. It is natural to compromise conscience and follow the social and religious fashion for the sake of gain or pleasure; it is divine to sacrifice both on the altar of truth and duty. "no man stood with me, but all men forsook me", (2 Timothy 4:16) wrote the battle-scarred apostle in describing his appearance before a civil court to answer for his life of believing and teaching contrary to the Roman world. God's absolute, Truth has been out of fashion since man changed his robe of fadeless light for a gar- ment of faded leaves. Noah built and voyaged alone.   His neighbours laughed at his strangeness and perished in style. Abraham wandered and worshiped alone. S*d*mites smiled at the simple shepherd, followed the world's fashion, and fed the flames.

Daniel dined and prayed alone.   Elijah sac- rificed and witnessed alone.   Jeremiah proph- esied and wept alone.   Jesus loved and died alone. And of the lonely way His disciples should walk, He said, "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."   Matthew 7:14. Of their treatment by the many who walk in the broad way, He said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, ...therefore the world hateth you."   John 15:19. The church in the wilderness praised Abraham and persecuted Moses.   The people of God in the days of the kings praised Moses and persecuted the proph- ets.   The church of Caiaphas, the high priest, praised the proph- ets and persecuted Jesus.   The church of the popes praised the Saviour and persecuted the saints. And multitudes now, both in the church and the world, applaud the courage and fortitude

of the patriarchs and prophets, the apostles and martyrs, but condemn as stubbornness or foolishness the same faithfulness in standing for truth today. Wanted, today, men and women, young and old, who will obey their convictions of truth and duty at the cost of fortune and friends and life itself. "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanc- tify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.   (13)Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his re- proach."   Hebrews 13:12-13. F. E. A.

BAPTISMAL REGENERATION and BIBLE SALVATION    "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)Not of works, lest any man should boast."   (Ephesians 2:8,9) BAPTISMAL REGENERATION teaches that ritual, water baptism secures the forgiveness of sins and marks the moment at which the one being baptized is "born again," or incorporated into the "Body of Christ."   It is generally understood to be the person's "spiritual birthday," the rite by which he becomes a "Christian."   Is this belief consistent with what the Bible says is true regarding God's salvation?    There is only one Gospel that must be pro- claimed to a lost and dying world!   Gal. 1:6-12.   Yet, a realistic look at the "Christian" scene today attests to the fact that there are many "gospels" preached. Each gives its own particular formula for what people must do to be saved.   While each of these "gospels" claim that faith in Jesus Christ is impor- tant, some add baptism or other "commandments" as prerequisites to "the new birth."    There is also the widespread practice of "easy believeism" whereby simple mental assent to the "Lordship of Christ" is deemed sufficient to obtain God's salvation (without even specifying what one must believe about Jesus Christ in order to claim Him as "Lord!").   The convicting and enlightening ministry of the Holy Spirit through the clear, Bibli- cal presentation of what God says one must believe in order to be saved is totally disregarded by this "numbers- oriented" form of evangelism.

A careful consideration of the Gospel as pre- sented in the Bible is of tremendous importance. The salvation of lost souls is at stake!   If the message we preach varies in the slightest from the revealed truth of God's Word, then it is of Satan--not of God. There is a sad tendency today among many profess- ing Bible believers to accommodate those who em- brace a false gospel, supposedly for the sake of "unity" and "the spirit of love."   It is necessary, however, to stand firm on the Gospel of the Bible which teaches that there is only one way of salva- tion--and that by grace, through faith, alone! Proponents of Baptismal Regeneration    The Roman Catholic Church was one of the earliest and most influential perpetrators of this error.   Roman Catholic teaching most certainly has not changed in recent years either, nor has the "Charismatic Catholic" departed one iota from the belief that salvation is secured by ritual baptism into the Roman Catholic Church: Vatican Council II says, "The saving act of Jesus was applied to Mary in the moment of her conception; to us in our bap- tism..." (Lumen Gentium 1, 53); "...I have washed you clean and given you new life, my life in baptism [these were supposedly the words of Christ Him- self]" (Prophecy from the 1988 Roman Catholic Charismatic Conference at Notre Dame).   Rome teaches baptismal regeneration.    The Orthodox Churches also teach baptismal regeneration: "Baptism is a new birth.   It is being born to the life made new by our Lord Jesus Christ. It means to be alive in Christ...   Through Holy Baptism all become Christ's.   We become Christians and have the opportunity to inherit God's King- dom...   Why in the world would any parents who claim to be Christians want to put off making their offspring Christians as soon as possible?   Don't they want their infants to share in the Kingdom of God? The baptized one becomes a member of Christ's body--His Church" (Doctrine of the Russian Ortho- dox Church, ONE CHURCH, 1981).    Mormonism says you must be baptized in order to be saved: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on your words, and are not baptized in water in my name, for the remission of their sins,

that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall not come into my Father's king- dom where my Father and I am" (Mormon Doctrine and Covenants, nos. 84:74).    Seventh Day Adventism teaches baptism is the vehicle in procuring the forgiveness of sins: "Is it necessary for a person to be baptized to be saved? Answer: Yes, indeed! ... A Christian is a newborn ‘babe’ in Christ.   This is why the experience or conversion is called ‘the new birth.’   No past exists in God's sight.   It was buried in the watery grave of baptism...."   ("Buried and Forgotten by God!"; a Seventh Day Adventist publication).    The Church of Christ, Episcopalians, and many Lutherans hold the false doctrine of baptismal re- generation in one form or another.   The Jehovah's Witnesses and many others could be added to this number, many within Protestantism included.    These groups invariably equate membership in their particular church with salvation itself.   With notable consistency, religious bodies which profess to be "the one true church" incorporate ritual bap- tism as an essential step in their "What must I do to be saved" formula.   It is claimed that by means of this ceremony one is introduced into the membership of the "church which alone can save."    Every believer who has shared the Gospel of God's saving grace with a Catholic knows the com- mon reaction: "Of course I believe in Christ as my Saviour!"   However, after further questioning, it becomes obvious that "belief" in Christ is not their sole confidence, for they believe that their continu- ance in faithfulness to "the church" and the sacra- ments of the church are also essential if there is to be any hope of obtaining everlasting life.   That kind of "believing in Christ" is not the unconditional, absolute faith that produces Bible salvation. Compromise Abounds    Efforts on the part of mainline Protestants and even "evangelicals" who have historically subscribed to "salvation by faith alone" to seek common ground with groups such as those listed above have resulted in a haziness with respect to the definition of the Gospel message itself.   They will seemingly go to any length--even disregarding the essentials of the

Gospel message itself--in order to avoid offence and make the baptismal regenerationist feel comfort- able in Protestant/evangelical circles.    For example, notice the following representa- tive statements from a few prominent religious leaders of our day who supposedly represent churches where "salvation by faith alone" is the standard. Note how they lend credence to religious groups such as those just mentioned which espouse the false gospel of baptismal regeneration:    "In two short decades, we have moved from the living room dialogue in which Protestants and Catho- lics were just discovering one another to be Chris- tian, to widespread recognition of one another's baptism" (Dr. Arie Brouwer, former General Secre- tary, National Council of Churches, spoken at the 1988 Arlington, Texas "Gathering of Christians").    TIME magazine for 10/27/61 printed the fol- lowing quote by Dr. Billy Graham: "I still have some personal problems in the matter of infant baptism, but all of my children with the exception of the youngest were baptized as infants.   I do believe that something happens at the baptism of an infant, particularly if the parents are Christians... I believe that a miracle can happen in these children so that they are regenerated, that is, made Christian through infant baptism."    Again, at Amsterdam '86, Graham revealed the same strange thinking when asked by this writer how churches from such a broad spectrum of be- lief--those holding to a "works salvation" included-- could be brought together for joint evangelistic outreach.   Here is Graham's answer: "Evangelism is about the only word we can unite on. ...Our meth- ods would be different and there would be debates over even the message sometimes, but there is no debate over the fact that we need to evangelize. ...I think there is an ecumenicity here that cannot [be gotten] under any other umbrella."    Bill Bright, president of Campus Crusade for Christ, gave a similar answer when we questioned him about Roman Catholic and Orthodox involve- ment at the Amsterdam '86 conference: "The Holy Spirit of God is doing something unique in most major denominations--Presbyterian, Baptist, Meth- odist, Roman Catholic...In all denominations I think there is a return to New Testament faith."

The basic difference between the gospel preached by churches which advocate baptismal regeneration and those which do not is being rubbed out by today's evangelical leaders.   This is a very serious matter. What is Essential for Salvation?    What is essential for salvation?   Faith alone or faith plus water baptism, church membership, "good works" or whatever?   This is a tremendously impor- tant consideration, for the "faith" of the former cannot possibly be the same "faith" as the latter.   The sinner in need of salvation cannot be saved by a faith which stands alone as the sole requisite to the new birth, and also be saved by a faith to which another step or steps must be added in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins and the gift of everlasting life.   To err at this point is to be eternally lost regardless of how sincere a person might be.    A principle regarding what God has done, and what man must believe, is found in the sixth chapter of John.   The question asked of the Lord Jesus Christ is one which many have asked through the centu- ries: "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" (John 6:28).   Man naturally seeks to do just that--do something!   The natural assump- tion is that good works, religious ceremony, church membership or holy resolve will pave the way for acceptance with God.    But notice the response of the Lord to the question as to what is necessary to stand approved before Almighty God: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."   (John 6:29). The answer is simple, yet full of deep and far- reaching truth.   It reveals the glorious fact that if a sinner is to be translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, then the opera- tion will be accomplished solely as a work of God's grace, apart from any meritorious effort on the part of the lost.   God has done the work--the sinner is to receive by faith ("believe on him whom he hath sent") what has been provided freely in Christ!    But those who add additional steps to salvation claim that it is too easy to "just believe."   They say, "Don't you know ‘the devils also believe, and tremble’?" (James 2:19).   That is exactly the point!

There are two kinds of "believing."   One is merely intellectual, mental assent; the other is heartfelt trust placed in Christ as the only Lord and Saviour. Certainly the devils do not believe in the essential way a sinner must trust the Lord Jesus Christ as his only hope and confidence.   The former is merely recognition; the latter is absolute resignation.   This is precisely why a careful, Biblical distinction must be made between the believing which saves and the believing which requires the addition of works and rituals to reach the desired end--salvation !    The Galatian believers were justified by faith, not works (Gal. 2:16; 3:22).   It was the "false breth- ren" (Gal. 2:4), the Judaizers, who introduced the additional requirements of keeping certain tenets of the law in order to be saved.   These false teachers troubling the Galatians were errant in two areas. First, they were trying to bring the believers in the Church Age back under bondage to the Law of Moses and, second, they were adding another step to "faith alone" in order to partake of God's salvation.    Water baptism is a "good work," Biblically defined.   A "good work" seen in Scripture is simply the saint's act of obedience to the revealed will of God--it is doing something God has commanded those who are already His children.   The additional requirements imposed by false teachers upon the sinner who is invited by God to receive Christ Jesus by faith is "another gospel"--a salvation by works-- and God's curse is unequivocally pronounced upon it (Gal. 1:6-10)!   The same is true for any supposed gospel preached today which adds any step to salva- tion by faith alone.    Paul wrote concerning those who espoused a false gospel, "I would they were even cut off which trouble you" (Gal. 5:12).   That is a strong statement to say the least, and it serves as a stern reminder to us of the importance of the issue at hand, and how consistently tenacious we must be in opposing those who pervert the purity of the Gospel of Christ.    Grieved by this devilish pollution of the Gos- pel, the Galatians were asked point blank when it was that they had been saved, at what moment in time they had in fact received the Holy Spirit and had been born again by the power of God: "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Gal.

3:2).   The answer was obvious--God's gift of salva- tion was received the moment they heard the word of the Gospel and accepted its invitation.   It was certainly not as a result of doing any work. Faith and Works    Faith and works are mutually exclusive with respect to the work of God in the regeneration of the lost--"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.   But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:4,5).   "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace..." (Rom. 4:16).   But never lose sight of the fact that the faith which saves (as illustrated by Abraham in Romans chapter four) is a living, vital faith which always produces works in the life of the believer after the fact of salvation.    This is illustrated by Abraham in the second chapter of James.   He had been declared a "Friend of God" by faith alone years before his justification was demonstrated by his works in obediently offering Isaac upon the altar (James 2:14-26 cf. Rom. 4:1-21). The supposed faith some "say" they have, but which produces no fruit, is "dead, being alone" (James 2:17).   That kind of "faith" will not save anyone!    But, dear reader, the confident, unconditional faith that resulted in the justification of Abraham before God is the same kind of faith which the sinner must possess in order to have the righteousness of Christ "imputed to him" the moment he believes (Rom. 4:22-25; 2 Cor. 5:17-21).   Upon "believing" the reconciled sinner stands approved before God--not because of good works or supposed merit, but be- cause of the perfect righteousness of Christ credited to his account.    The faith which results in Bible salvation is an unconditional, absolute reliance upon the Lord as the only Saviour with no confidence in anything or anyone else.   To the extent that salvation depends upon believing on Christ plus any good work or religious ceremony, it is no longer salvation by grace alone apart from human effort.   Anyone who cannot distinguish between these two types of "faith" undoubtedly is one who trusts something in addi- tion to Christ to perform the salvation that He has

promised to "whosoever believeth[.]"   The entire Bib- lical exegesis of "saving faith" stresses absolute reliance upon the finished work of Christ apart from the works or supposed merit of man.   The faith that saves always produces fruit or good works in the life, but this is always after the initial miracle of the new birth effected by the power of God.   Those who insist on "believing and... in order to be saved" do not have the "saving faith" of which the Bible speaks.    Remember too that salvation by faith alone in the shed blood of Christ apart from "works" does not result in carelessness in the life lived as a Christian. The same grace which saves also enables the be- liever to walk in obedience to the Word, and disci- plines the disobedient child (Titus 2:11-15).   Believ- ing carries with it tremendous responsibility and accountability before God.   Most Biblical texts which are twisted to infer that salvation from start to finish is dependent on the "good works" of the redeemed actually refer to God's faithful chastisement of the rebellious child.    The careless Christian will experience loss of blessing in this life and future reward which would have accrued to him had his "works" stood the test of fire (1 Cor. 3:13-15).   At the "judgment seat of Christ[,]" before which every Christian must stand, the issue is not salvation, but rather the reward or loss of reward with respect to the Christian's life and service.   Some will be saved "so as by fire"; saved, yes, but lacking the reward for faithful service conse- quent to experiencing saving faith. The Proper Place of Water Baptism    Satan is masterful in his efforts to confuse the issue and obscure the clear demarcation between salvation by grace alone and a salvation where "works" are a necessary prerequisite.   For example, those who subscribe to baptismal regeneration are quick to point out that the existence of so many different denominations and independents must imply a belief that there are a number of ways to be saved.   But such is simply not the case.   Historically, the major Protestant denominations have a rich heritage of fidelity to the Bible with respect to their understanding of justification by faith alone.   The distinctions from one group to another stem pri-

marily from differences in church polity, i.e., the governmental administration of the local assembly or assemblies of believers and not differences in foundational doctrines, such as what constitutes the work of God in the regeneration of the sinner.    Water baptism has been viewed by true believ- ers as an outward testimony of the inward reality of having already been "born again" by the power of God.   The moment the sinner trusts Christ as his Saviour, he is [indwelt] by the Spirit of God [...].   There is no salva- tion for anyone who is not "in Christ," and this spiritual regeneration takes place the moment the lost sinner receives Christ by faith (John 1:12; 5:24). All who are saved have received this [indwelling] which God administers, not man.    Water baptism, on the other hand, is properly understood to be an ordinance of the Church ad- ministered only to those who have already been saved.   Baptism by immersion symbolizes what has already been accomplished by God.   The ordinances (Baptism and the Lord's Supper) and "good works" (obedience to the will of God as found in the Word of God) are after the fact of regeneration and the result of saving faith, not a means of saving grace.   Salva- tion cannot be conferred by any church, for the church is but a fellowship of born again believers who have already availed themselves of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.    Someone who has been genuinely born again by the Spirit of God will want to honour His Lord now that he has new life in Christ.   He should seek out and be identified with a fundamental, Bible-believing local church where he can grow and be nurtured by the pastoral care and teaching provided there, and receive encouragement and edification by others of like precious faith (Eph. 4:11-16).   Within that con- text of the local church, there will be the opportu- nity to receive Biblical believer's baptism (1 Cor. 1:13-16).   In this text, Paul did not baptize all in the Corinthian church, but others certainly must have; the Corinthian's shortcomings did not negate the fact that they were, indeed, baptized.    Also, the memorial service of the Lord's Sup- per will be a continual reminder of the meaning of Christ's broken body and shed blood, and that this service is to be conducted "till he come" (1 Cor.

11:23-32).   Yes, water baptism has its proper, and important, place, but for the one who is already saved, not for the one who has not yet been born again; the latter needs to believe the Gospel and receive God's salvation as a free gift.   Baptism, in any shape or form, cannot save anyone! We Have an Obligation    Always remember, whenever there is an op- portunity to share the one true Gospel with those who are trusting in their baptism, do so!   They need to be saved, and that does not come to pass by arguing or debating extraneous doctrines or oddi- ties of practice.   They need to be told of the perfect salvation that is offered through the Infinite Person and completed work of the Lord Jesus Christ.   The Holy Spirit of God is able to take the pure Gospel of God's grace and cause the needy hearer to under- stand what it really means to believe only on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of the soul.    Only the Spirit of God can take the Word and enable the baptismal regenerationist to see how utterly worthless is ritual baptism whereby the communicant is supposedly introduced into the "one true church," as contrasted with the glorious operation of God in effecting the new birth from on high the moment the sinner believes.   The media- tory function of a minister baptizing someone into "the kingdom" is a sad counterfeit to say the least! Argument will never convince one of a dissenting opinion as to the blessed reality and certainty which accompanies saving faith; God must reveal this to them as the Gospel is faithfully spoken and the Word of God is correctly taught.    Not only must the Gospel be faithfully pro- claimed to those who oppose the essential doctrine of justification by faith alone, but a stern word of exhortation and warning must be given to those who supposedly know the way of truth but who compromise that truth.   The liberal ecumenical movement has brought about incredibly dangerous theological compromises along this line and we have an obligation to withstand such apostasy!    For example, a significant World Council of Churches document entitled "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry" has sadly capitulated to the baptismal

regenerationist's position even though most of the WCC member churches have historically stressed salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.    A representative quote from this doctrinal study paper is as follows: "Through baptism, Chris- tians are brought into union with Christ, with each other, and with the Church of every time and place. Our common baptism, which unites us to Christ in faith, is thus a basic bond of unity."   The driving desire to bring the Roman Catholic Church into the ecumenical sphere of organizational fellowship is an obvious incentive for preparing such a docu- ment.   Also, it should be noted that in addition to WCC members such as the Eastern Orthodox Churches which already subscribe to baptismal re- generation, the "Faith and Order Commission" that composed this study had representatives from the Seventh Day Adventists and the Roman Catholic Church--no wonder the outcome!    But there were also Southern Baptists and American Baptists on the WCC Faith and Order Commission and they should have known better, or should it be said, done better.   The historic baptistic position was totally discounted by those who should have sounded a warning about the serious theologi- cal ramifications of joining with those who preach "another gospel[.]"   The ecumenical movement is a leavening blight to Biblical truth and no Bible be- liever should have anything to do with it whatso- ever!   This is the sad consequence of compromised fellowship--Spirit-wrought convictions become nonexistent. Biblical Example of the New Birth    A brief look at the texts in the Bible where water baptism is mentioned will reveal that faith alone, without the added step of baptism, assures the forgiveness of sin, the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the gift of everlasting life.   A key text is found in the tenth chapter of Acts where a straight- forward example of the operation of God in the regeneration of the sinner is recorded.    This is the account of the conversion of the house of Cornelius as the apostle Peter preached unto them the one pure Gospel of God's saving grace through Christ.   There is no possible way they were

already believers, since they had not yet heard the Word of the Gospel which alone can save (Acts 10:6,33; 11:14-18; 15:7).   Cornelius was religious but lost; he was a devout proselyte to Judaism, but in need of hearing the Good News that the righteous demands of the Law had been met in Christ and that salvation through Him was now available to Jew and Gentile alike.   Cornelius had to hear about Christ!    In Acts 10:34-43 God gives the details these needy Gentiles had to hear and believe in order to be saved.   Peter preached Christ crucified and risen again Who would be either Judge or Saviour to sinful man.   It was then that Peter gave the one condition to receiving the free gift of salvation: "To him [the Lord Jesus Christ] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins" (vs. 43).    It was, "While Peter yet spake these words, [the Gospel concerning the Perfect Person and finished Work of Christ] the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word" (vs. 44).   They all believed and were saved at that very moment!   How do we know?   Turn to Acts 15 and read carefully verses six through eleven.   Here we have the same event viewed from God's perspective and we have the Divine commentary on what took place in the hearts of those who believed the Gospel and in so doing, received the forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Spirit.   "And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, ... purifying their hearts by faith."   (Acts 15:8,9).   Peter did the preaching; the Gentiles heard and believed (see John 5:24; Gal. 3:2); and God did the saving!    Now look back at Acts 10:45-48.   It was after they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit that they were baptized.   There is no possible way it could be said that their sins were washed away in baptismal waters since they were already in Christ.   (see Rom. 8:9).   The speaking in other languages was a sign to the believing Jews present that these Gentiles had now received what they had at Pentecost and were now in God's New Creation [...].   Water baptism was the outward witness to their identifica- tion with Christ and with others of like precious faith.   Is water baptism a step in gaining salvation? Absolutely not!   This text which so clearly gives the one basis of regeneration would have to be torn out

of the Bible if baptism was essential for salvation. But praise the Lord such is not the case, and all who have believed to the saving of their souls can rejoice along with Peter, "...we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they" (Acts 15:11). Texts Often Used to Advance this Error    In Matthew 28:19-20, the commission is to first "teach all nations[.]"   The term rendered "teach" in its root meaning is clearly distinguished to simply mean "to make disciples."   And how does one become a disciple?   By having the Gospel of Christ preached unto him and having that message received by faith (note John 1:12).   These new disciples are then baptized after salvation, and taught in the way of truth.   The same holds true for the parallel portion in Mark 16:15-16.   Once again, believing makes a dis- ciple and the disciple is baptized afterward.   It is he who does not believe (and is, therefore, not a dis- ciple) who shall be damned.   He that believeth and is baptized is the normal sequence.   Studying the doc- trine of regeneration in its Biblical context makes it plain that baptism is "after the fact" of believing unto salvation.    Acts 2:38 is another text which is often twisted to refute the Biblical teaching of salvation by faith alone.   But once again we notice that "Repent[ance]" precedes baptism.   "repentance" as used with re- spect to salvation is a wonderfully descriptive com- plement to the kind of saving faith that is essential for the salvation of the sinner.   Here, repentance is that change of mind whereby the individual is no longer trusting in anything other than the full and free salvation provided in Christ alone.    This belief is not just "head belief," but a heartfelt faith which results in a turning from con- fidence in self, religion, or anything else to Jesus Christ Who alone can save to the uttermost.   It is the inward work of the Holy Spirit (John 6:44; 16:7-11) whereby the sinner is convicted of his own inability to do anything to save himself, and convinced of the Saviour's perfect provision.   He turns from faith in all else, to unconditional trust and wholehearted reliance upon the finished work of Christ.    It needs to be noted here also that being

baptized "for the remission of sins" is not in order to obtain forgiveness of sins, but rather being baptized "unto" or "in respect to" the remission of sins. Baptism is always intended for the regenerated, forgiven believer.   The Ethiopian eunuch was per- mitted water baptism only after the proper response to the evangelist's inquiry, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest."   Don't get the "cart before the horse" for the cart alone doesn't have the power to get us anywhere.    Did Ananias supply Saul (later known as the apostle Paul) with essential information concerning the Gospel which was in addition to that which he had received previously on the road to Damascus? Was Ananias' instruction for Paul to be baptized, "...and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:12-16) to be a part of the Gospel he was to preach from there on? No!   As mentioned above, Christian baptism was administered to those who had already received the Good News of salvation through faith in the cruci- fied and risen Lord Jesus Christ.   The subsequent rite of baptism, therefore, bore testimony to that fact. This is what Paul did.    Read carefully what the apostle actually had revealed to him when he met the glorified Christ in the way, when he received by direct revelation the Gospel message itself (Gal. 1:11-12 cf. Acts 26:13- 18).   He most certainly did not receive any part of the message from man (this rules out what Ananias had to add), and he states the Gospel in a nutshell when he testified before king Agrippa.   The message Christ Jesus gave him on the road that day was the whole Gospel of saving grace.   It was the Good News which would enable the one who hears and believes it to "...receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."   (Acts 26:18).   The Gospel does not require water baptism as a condition for the New Birth.    1 Peter 3:21 is another verse often used by the baptismal regenerationist.   But notice carefully the actual wording and the context.   Noah and his family were not saved by the water, but from the water of judgment.   Their salvation came by being inside the ark, the ark being a figure or a type of the believer's salvation from judgment by being in Christ.   In the 21st verse it says: "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us[.]"   Baptism is here

used to illustrate by way of a figure of speech the operation of God which takes place inwardly upon believing.   The "figure" (baptism) speaks of our iden- tification with Christ who does saved us--He was the "ark" of Noah's salvation.   The salvation the sinner is afforded comes through His saving grace. The rest of the verse bears this truth out; it's not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (through cer- emonial washings--a reference to Old Testament ritual), but the answer of a good conscience toward God.   It is always heartfelt faith in the shed blood of the Lamb and in His glorious, bodily resurrection that renders the sinner justified before an all Holy God!   Rom. 10:9; Heb. 9:14.    Another text which is consistently twisted to infer baptismal regeneration is John 3:1- 8.   But rather than teaching the need for baptism, it actu- ally affirms the operation of God whereby the Holy Spirit works in concert with the Word of the Gospel to bring to pass the regeneration of the sinner from on high.   The two essentials for being born again are "water" and the "Spirit" (John 3:5).   The operation of the Spirit is obviously essential in the spiritual new birth of the believing sinner.   But what about the "water"?   Is this baptism?   Definitely not!   "water" is typical of the cleansing agent of the Word (Eph. 5:26).   The Gospel as presented in the Word of God is integrally linked to the Holy Spirit's work of regen- eration within the heart of the one who believes. Also, the "new birth" assumes the fact that there was an initial human, natural birth, and many believe the "water" in this particular text refers to the natural birth--"That which is born of the flesh..."; "...can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"   The "Spirit," on the other hand, refers to the spiritual new birth.   In either case, "water" cannot be interpreted as baptism and, there- fore, required in God's miraculous work of regen- eration.   God administers the new birth, not man.    The "washing of regeneration, and renew- ing of the Holy Ghost" in Titus 3:5 speaks of the two- fold function of the Holy Spirit of God using the Gospel message contained in the Word to bring a lost sinner to the place where he understands his desperate need as a sinner, and then accepts--by faith--God's glorious salvation in Christ to meet that need.   "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that

heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life" (John 5:24).   Here, again, we see God doing the "washing" at the moment of regeneration, in exactly the same way as detailed in Acts 15:7-9 as mentioned previously, where God saved the first Gentile converts, "...purifying their hearts by faith."   Faith, not baptism, is God's means of cleansing all sin.    By no stretch of the imagination can ritual baptism be equated to the term "water" used by itself in texts in the Bible relating to the new birth; nowhere is there found a direct connection which brings these two terms--"water" and "baptism"-- together.   For instance, in Eph. 5:26 and in 1 Pet. 1:23 the obvious connection is made between water and the sanctifying--or cleansing--property of the Word of God.   Again in James 1:18 we have direct identification with the function of the Word in the miracle of the new birth: "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth[.]"   The power of God is manifest when a lost sinner trusts Jesus Christ as his Saviour, a miraculous regeneration which God ac- complishes apart from any ceremony (John 1:12).    What should be the response of believers today when "baptismal regeneration" is taught or toler- ated by so many different religious groups?   The only response to those who hold to this dangerous error must be to present them with the pure Gospel of God's saving grace.   Then pray that the Holy Spirit will so work in their hearts and minds that they will indeed understand what it means to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone and be saved.   Acts 16:31; Heb. 7:25.   Preach that Gospel!   Separate from all those who proclaim any other!   "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). -- Dennis W. Costella F. E. A.

the BIBLE vs PSYCHOLOGY THE WORD OF GOD vs THE WORDS OF MEN "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3 The author of this article seeks to warn Chris- tians that when they turn from the Word of God to the words of men, they are inviting a "corrupt mind" and a blurred identity.   The "bad be- havior" this article refers to is functional, having no basis in physically measurable ailments. In these days of increasing mental and emo- tional conflict and strain, many people, includ- ing Christians, have been encouraged to turn to psychology, psychiatry and psychoanalysis for the solutions to their problems.   This is a dangerous trend for at least four reasons: FIRST: Because the fields of psy- chology, psychiatry and psy- choanalysis are highly speculative, radically experimental and anti- biblical in their basic theoretical suppositions;

SECOND: Because the accepted authorities in these fields start from the unscriptural and anti- biblical theory of evolution, deny- ing man's present spiritual need and eternal existence; THIRD: Because these pro- grams, including so- called "Chris- tian Psychology," invariably result in giving the changing theories of men precedence over the unchang- ing Word of God; FOURTH: Because it leads peo- ple to seek the solutions to their problems apart from submission to the Word of God and the Spirit of God, leaving them with a false hope and a rude awakening. Consider the answers to these questions... MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT AM I? THE BIBLE SAYS... ...THE CREATION OF GOD WITH BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blame- less unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."   1 Thessalonians 5:23.   See also Genesis 1:26; 2:7.

PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... ...A CREATURE OF EVOLUTION WITH BODY, MIND AND PERSONALITY.   "Another very important influence came from Darwin and the theory of evolution.   For if all animals are blood relatives in respect to bodily structure must they not be the same in respect to behavior and mentality?" -- Dr. Robert S. Woodworth "Darwin...kept a diary of his infant son.... This record was one of the sources for the beginning of modern child psychology." -- Dr. Robert L. Watson MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS MY GOAL IN LIFE? THE BIBLE SAYS... TO GLORIFY GOD.   "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."   1 Cor- inthians 6:20.   See also 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Psalm 73:24, 26. PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... TO ADJUST TO MY FELLOW MAN.   "Of course, to win for one's self a place in society and so transform one's nature that it is more or less fitted to this existence, is in every instance an impor- tant achievement."   -- Dr. Carl G. Jung MAN'S QUESTION: WHO IS MY SUPREME AUTHORITY? THE BIBLE SAYS... GOD.   "I am the Lord thy God... Thou shalt have no other gods

before me."   Exodus 20:2, 3.   Also Ephesians 1:4, 11. PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... MAN.   "...psychotherapists are now permitted by tacit agree- ment, to set the standard of what is right and wrong." -- Dr. L. B. Lefebre MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS MY STANDARD OF BEHAVIOUR? THE BIBLE SAYS... THE BIBLE.   "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."   2 Timothy 3:16, 17. PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... THE NORMS OF SOCIETY.   "People whose behavior differs widely and steadily from social requirements are called 'ab- normal.'   Since societies differ in their requirements, an act that is normal in one place may be abnormal in another." -- Dr. A. P. Sperling MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO ACHIEVING MY GOAL? THE BIBLE SAYS... SIN.   "...there is none righteous, no, not one. ...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."   Romans 3:10, 23.

See also Romans 7:11 and James 4:17. PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... BAD BEHAVIOR which falls into three general classifications: Neurosis, psychosis and mental illness.   "If anxieties and confu- sion therefore seriously interfere with one's life, he is considered emotionally or mentally ill."   -- Dr. Clyde Narramore MAN'S QUESTION: WHY DOES "BAD BEHAVIOR" EXIST? THE BIBLE SAYS... A SINFUL HEART.   "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9. PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... SEX, ENVIRONMENT, POWER DRIVE, CULTURE, ETC.   "The most specific example of the negative effects of religion as a force of repression and control appears in Freud's discussion of civilized sexual morality and modern nervousness.   He deplores Western religious controls...which are so rigid and unnatural that the sexual abilities of individuals is impaired, perverted or neuroticized."   -- Dr. Wayne Oates MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT CAN EFFECTIVELY CHANGE THIS SINFUL BEHAVIOUR? THE BIBLE SAYS... [ REPENTANCE & ] FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.   "Wherefore, if any man be in

Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."   2 Corinthians 5:17.   See also John 3:3, 16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Luke 4:4. PSYCHOLOGY SAYS... FASTENING GUILT ON PARENTS OR SOCIETY; FREEING REPRESSED DESIRES; DRUGS; PSYCHOANALYSIS; SEN- SITIVITY TRAINING; GROUP THERAPY; ETC.   "And until one has 'worked through' and resolved his guilt in the face of man- kind, he is not fully healed and whole."   -- Dr. O. H. Mower THE CHOICE IS YOURS THE HOLY BIBLE --                           INSPIRED BY ALMIGHTY GOD or PSYCHOLOGY --                           INVENTED BY SINFUL MAN It is essential to recognize that the BIBLE and PSYCHOLOGY represent two contradictory views of God, man, sin, the Bible and eternity. This makes it impossible to reconcile or com- bine the two as is being attempted in so- called "Christian Psychology."   Regardless of the sincerety of the people in these fields, they literally become the "High Priests of Human- ism."   God's people need to be WARNED! -- B. Pollard Fundamental Evangelistic Association P. O. Box 6278 -- Los Osos, CA 93412

A CAREFUL LOOK AT The New King James Bible by M. H. Reynolds, Jr., Editor of FOUNDATION magazine "WHAT ABOUT THE NEW KING JAMES BIBLE?" This query tops the list of questions directed to us in recent months.   In this article, we want to share with God's people some of the important facts which led us to reject the NKJV and warn others about it.   We do not believe that the "NKJV makes the KJV even better" as its publishers claim.   To the contrary, our study leads us to conclude that the NKJV vitiates the original, reliable, accurate KJV in a most deceptive manner.   While claiming to have "preserved the authority and accuracy" of the original KJV, the actual result is a hybrid text which incorporates many word changes identical with or similar to the corruptions found in other modern Bible versions. WHY THE NEW KING JAMES BIBLE?   Its publisher, Thomas Nelson Company, says its purpose is "To Preserve the Integrity of the Original in the Language of Today" - "To preserve the authority and accuracy ...of the original King James while making it under- standable to 20th Century readers" - "To update with regard to punctuation and grammar; archaic verbs and pronouns"; and "Up-to-date accuracy with regard to words whose English meaning has changed over a period of 3 1/2 centuries."   The com- pleted NKJV text is said to be "Beautifully Clear"

and "Highly Readable."   And, Thomas Nelson Pub- lishers is spending several million dollars to con- vince Christians that the NKJV is "THE" Bible of the present and the future. WHY DO WE RECOMMEND REJECTION OF THE NKJV?   Space limitations preclude a full discussion of every reason, but we do urge a careful considera- tion of the following facts discovered in our study of the NKJV.   First, it is essential to know that many of the word changes between the original KJV and the NKJV are not changes which result from re- moving archaisms, etc. - but are changes which clearly reveal that, contrary to their agreed basis, the NKJV translators departed from the original KJV and its underlying Greek text, the Textus Receptus, IN FAVOR OF WORDING FROM COR- RUPTED TEXTS. THE INSTANCES IN WHICH THE NKJV BREAKS WITH THE ORIGINAL KJV BY SUBSTITUTING WORDING IDENTICAL TO THAT OF CORRUPTED MODERN BIBLE VERSIONS are too numerous to be considered coincidence.   And, since Nelson tells us that the NKJV scholars spent "months of prayer, research, and discussion over the HAN- DLING OF A SINGLE WORD," we must conclude that these changes were neither coincidental nor accidental. THE FOLLOWING REFERENCES ARE LISTED AS PRIME EXAMPLES OF THE WAY IN WHICH NKJV TRANSLATORS inserted erroneous words and meanings from corrupted modern Bible versions into the NKJV text: ACTS 4:27 - KJV reads, "thy holy child, Jesus".   NKJV, NASV and RSV change "holy child" to "HOLY SERVANT." ACTS 8:9 - KJV reads, "bewitched the peo- ple".   NKJV and NASV change "bewitched" to "ASTONISHED."   NIV and RSV change "bewitched" to "AMAZED." ROMANS 1:25 - KJV reads, "changed the truth of God into a lie".   NKJV, NASV and NIV read "EXCHANGED the truth of God for the lie" or "a lie." ROMANS 4:25 - KJV reads, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again

for our justification."   NKJV and NASV change "for" to "BECAUSE OF."   (Even the NIV and RSV use the correct word, "for".) 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5 - KJV reads, "Cast- ing down imaginations".   NKJV, NIV and RSV change "imaginations" to "ARGU- MENTS." COLOSSIANS 3:2 - KJV reads, "Set your affection on things above".   NKJV, NASV, NIV and RSV change "affection" to "MIND." 1 THESSALONIANS 5:22 - KJV reads, "Ab- stain from all appearance of evil."   NKJV, NASV and RSV change "appearance" to "FORM." 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 - KJV reads, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God".   NKJV and NASV change "Study" to "BE DILIGENT." NIV and RSV change "Study" to "DO YOUR BEST." EXAMPLES OF CHANGES IN THE TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT INCLUDE: PSALM 79:1 - the word "heathen" in the KJV is changed to "NATIONS" in the NKJV, NASV and NIV. ISAIAH 11:3 - the entire phrase, "And shall make him of quick understanding" in the KJV is eliminated in the NKJV, NASV, NIV and RSV. ISAIAH 66:5 - the wonderful phrase, "but he shall appear to your joy" in the KJV disap- pears without explanation from NKJV, NASV, NIV and RSV. ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF SIGNIFICANT WORD CHANGES WOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING REFERENCES: Matthew 4:24; 6:13; 7:14; 20:20; Mark 4:19; John 14:2; Acts 17:29; Romans 1:18; Philippians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Timothy 6:5,10,20; Hebrews 2:16; 10:14; James 1:15; 1 Peter 1:7. A STRIKING AND SIGNIFICANT WORD CHANGE INVOLVES CHANGING "corrupt" TO "PED-

DLING" in 2 Corinthians 2:17.   The original KJV correctly says, "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God...."   But the NKJV, NASV, NIV, and RSV, change "corrupt" to "PED- DLING."   Is there any great difference between PEDDLING (selling, or making a gain of) the Word of God and CORRUPTING (adulterating) it?   Of course there is, and one does not have to be a Greek scholar to decide which word is correct. When this warning was given in the 1st Century, was there any way for people to PEDDLE (make a gain of) God's Word?   Of course not - they were suf- fering for it.   The warning clearly refers to COR- RUPTING God's Word, something that was common then as it is now.   Only in our day has it ever been possible to PEDDLE (make a gain of) the Bible.   With its huge profits from the sale of corrupted Bible ver- sions, the Thomas Nelson Publishers is both COR- RUPTING AND PEDDLING GOD'S WORD! DR. JERRY FALWELL, A MEMBER OF THE NKJV OVERVIEW COMMITTEE, GIVES THIS NEW BIBLE HIS UNQUALIFIED ENDORSEMENT, stating that "It PROTECTS EVERY THOUGHT, EVERY IDEA, EVERY WORD, just as it was intended to be under- stood by the original scholars."   THIS SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE!   As already pointed out, words have been changed and with those changed words have come changed thoughts and ideas. SOME WILL ARGUE THAT THE CHANGES NOTED DO NOT AFFECT ANY FUNDAMENTAL BIBLE DOCTRINE.   WE STRONGLY DISAGREE.   IS NOT THE VERBAL INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES A FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINE?   Is not EVERY WORD of the Bible important?   Jesus Christ said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."   Matthew 4:4.   He also said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35.   Since Christ is concerned about EVERY WORD, we should also be concerned about EVERY WORD and raise a voice of protest whenever "scholarly sleight of hand" is discovered in any modern Bible version, including the NKJV. IN RAISING STRENUOUS OBJECTIONS TO THE "CHANGED WORDS" OF THE NKJV TEXT, we are NOT referring to those changes which properly update old English verb forms without changing the meaning, i.e., removing "est" or "eth" from

verb endings.   Neither do we refer to updating the old English pronouns "thee," "thou" and "thine" where they refer to individuals.   We do consider it a tragic mistake to eliminate the use of "Thee," "Thou" and "Thine" where these refer to Deity. There is a disturbing trend these days toward strip- ping God of His Majesty both in word and deed. The substitution of the common pronouns "You" and "Yours" for "Thee," "Thou" and "Thine" which have historically been used to refer to Deity both in the Scriptures and the Hymns of the [local] Church, only helps pave the way for further attempts of sinful men to bring God down to their level rather than exalting Him in every way possible. ACTUALLY, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW OLD ENGLISH WORDS USED IN THE ORIGINAL KJV where, due to the passage of years, different words are now used to express the original meanings.   Such changes have been incorporated into the NKJV but do not change original meanings.   We refer to verses such as 2 Thessalonians 2:7 where "letteth" is updated to "restraineth"; or, Psalm 4:2 where "leasing" is updated to "lying"; or, 1 Thessalonians 4:15 where "prevent" is updated to "precede"; or Matthew 19:14 where "Suffer" is updated to "let" (meaning allow or permit).   However, in other instances, it is difficult to understand how the NKJV scholars thought they were updating and clarifying the KJV as, for example, when they substituted "minas" for "pounds" in Luke 19:13; or, "satraps" for "princes" in Daniel 3:3; or, "black cummin" for "fitches" in Isaiah 28:27. THE DUPLICITY OF THE NKJV PUBLISHERS, TRANSLATORS AND ENDORSERS GREATLY IN- CREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF BELIEVERS BEING DECEIVED.   The word "duplicity" is used advisedly. Webster's Dictionary defines "duplicity" as: "de- ception by pretending to feel and act one way while acting another."   Consider the following facts, all of which are fully documentable. THE DUPLICITY OF THE THOMAS NELSON PUB- LISHERS is clearly evidenced by their expressed concern and stated desire to "PRESERVE THE AUTHORITY AND ACCURACY...of the original King James" Bible.   Yet, Nelson is the largest publisher of Bibles in the world and publishes eight of the nine modern versions including the iniquitous Re- vised Standard Version produced and copyrighted by

the apostate NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES. If the Thomas Nelson Publishers were genuinely concerned about the purity of the Scriptures, would they continue printing the RSV and other corrupted modern versions? THE DUPLICITY OF THE NKJV SCHOLARS IS ALSO A MATTER FOR CONCERN AND CON- SIDERATION.   Although each scholar was asked to subscribe to a statement confirming his belief in the PLENARY, DIVINE, VERBAL INSPIRATION OF THE ORIGINAL AUTOGRAPHS (none of which exist today [on Earth]), the question of whether or not they also believed in the DIVINE PRESERVATION OF THE DIVINELY INSPIRED ORIGINALS was not an issue as it should have been.   Dr. Arthur Farstad, chairman of the NKJV Executive Review Commit- tee which had the responsibility of final text ap- proval, stated that this committee was about equally divided as to which was the better Greek New Testa- ment text -- the Textus Receptus or the Westcott- Hort.   Apparently, none of them believed that either text was the Divinely Preserved Word of God.   Yet, all of them participated in a project to "protect and preserve the PURITY AND ACCURACY" of the original KJV based on the TR.   Is not this duplicity of the worst kind, coming as it did from supposedly "evangelical" scholars? FURTHER DUPLICITY IS REVEALED IN THE PREF- ACE OF THE NKJV and in a 16-page history of the KJV printed at the end.   On page vi of the preface, NKJV readers are given the following erroneous information: "There is only one basic New Testa- ment used by Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox, by conservatives and liberals."   THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE!   There are two basic New Testa- ment texts - the Divinely preserved Textus Recep- tus from which the original KJV was translated and the Satanically corrupted Westcott-Hort Text (and its revisions) which form the basis of all other mod- ern Bible versions. NKJV READERS ARE FURTHER MISINFORMED AS TO WHY THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL KJV AND ALL THE MODERN VERSIONS.   On page vi of the preface, NKJV readers are "assured that the most important differences in the English New Testament of today are due, not to manuscript divergence, but to the way in which translators view the task of transla-

tion."   AGAIN, THIS SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE.   Impor- tant differences in the English New Testament of today ARE DUE to "manuscript divergence" (over 5700 differences exist between the TR and W.H. Greek texts) AND the divergent views of the scholars who produced the various translations. AS A CROWNING CLIMAX OF DUPLICITY AND INCONSISTENCY, THE EDITORS OF THE NEW KING JAMES BIBLE make the following incongruous statements on pages 1234 and 1235 of the King James history printed at the conclusion of the NKJV text: "THE TENDENCY OF RECENT REVISERS HAS BEEN TO REMOVE WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE TEXT OF SCRIPTURE, based on the most recently discovered extant manu- scripts.   In using the Greek text underlying the King James Bible, these words and phrases were retained.   And, in those few places where the majority of the manuscripts did not support a word or phrase, that fact could best be indicated in a footnote.   (The New Testament of the New King James Ver- sion shows in its footnotes those places where the MAJOR TEXTUAL TRADITIONS DIFFER from the language of the King James Bible.) "IT WAS THE EDITORS' CONVICTION THAT THE USE OF FOOTNOTES WOULD EN- COURAGE FURTHER INQUIRY BY READERS. THEY ALSO RECOGNIZED THAT IT WAS EASIER FOR THE AVERAGE READER TO DELETE SOMETHING HE OR SHE FELT WAS NOT PROPERLY A PART OF THE TEXT, than to insert a word or phrase which had been left out by the revisers." WILL THE NEXT MODERN BIBLE BE THE "DO IT YOURSELF VERSION"?   This would be a distinct possibility if the advice of the NKJV editors in the two preceding paragraphs were to be followed.   In effect, they are saying, "Let each reader decide for himself what portions, verses, phrases and words should be included in God's Holy Word."   The NKJV footnotes, far from being helpful, are an invitation to disobey the plain command of God not to add to or take from His Word.   Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18, 19. -- "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."   (Deuteronomy 4:2) "(18)For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (19)And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."   (Revelation 22:18- 19)

THE PRESERVATION OF GOD'S DIVINELY IN- SPIRED WORD IS CLEARLY SET FORTH in Psalm 12:6, 7.   "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.   Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."   God has fulfilled His promise through the Textus Recep- tus and the original King James Version.   Those who replace the original KJV with the NKJV will have been duped into accepting a Bible which still bears a respected name but one which has placed "readability" above purity. THE TRANSLATORS OF THE ORIGINAL KING JAMES BIBLE HAD A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE. They were able to use their vast knowledge of ancient languages and translation abilities prior to the time when the deadly virus of so-called "Higher Criticism" infected the whole field of scholarship. False teachers boldly dissected God's Word with the "tools of scholarship" in order to reconstruct it according to their own speculations and presump- tions.   The result is a pseudo-intellectual aura in which no one can be sure of anything.   IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO THE PURE WORD OF GOD WHERE FAITH PREVAILS AND DOUBT IS VANQUISHED! OUR PLEA TO GOD'S PEOPLE IS TO REJECT THE NEW KING JAMES BIBLE and continue preaching, teaching, memorizing and meditating upon the pure, unadulterated, Divinely preserved milk and meat of God's Holy Word -- THE ORIGINAL KING JAMES AUTHORIZED VERSION Of 1611 upon which God has so evidently placed His stamp of approval over a span of nearly four centuries! F. E. A.

Christian ? Rock by Ric Llewellyn    Music plays an important role in Christianity.   It always has; it always will; it should.   Ephesians 5:18 and 19 reveal that music is instrumental in realiz- ing the Spirit-filled life.   Colossians 3:16 amplifies this fact by emphasizing the way in which music should enrich the spiritual life of every believer.    Today there is a musical movement away from this biblical standard among Christian youth called rock 'n' roll.   Our young people have grown up with this rock music, and now see no reason to give it up.   The idea that rock music is a valid biblical tool for the evangelization of the lost and the edifica- tion of believers is also becoming more accepted by older saints, and more popular with pastors and Christian leaders.   In the past, older believers with- stood the intrusion of the world into the [local] Church. But now many of the saints are also clamoring for the music their sons and daughters want -- ROCK. Youth leaders and pastors are facing increasing pressure to incorporate rock 'n' roll in their pro- grams for young people, because "more kids can be reached."   Out of this movement and with this acceptance and popularity, Contemporary Chris- tian Music was born.

It is essential to the spirituality of the whole Body of Christ for Christians of every age group to scrutinize Christian Rock in the light of God's Word, and then allow the Holy Spirit to conform us to the will of the Lord concerning the part music plays in our lives.    Contemporary Christian Music is a specific and easily identifiable form of music.   The sound of this so-called Holy Rock ranges from soft pop-rock to hard, pulsating rock 'n' roll to ridiculous and raging punk.   It is directed toward an audience in the 18 to 35 age group and is an attempt to provide a Chris- tian experience which is adapted to the contem- porary rock culture.   Billy Ray Hearn, owner of Sparrow Records and creator of ABC's Myrrh label, described Contemporary Christian Music like this: "We take the music of the street and apply Chris- tian lyrics to it."    By considering two areas which are suggested by the texts mentioned previously it may be observed that Religious Rock poses a threat to the vitality of the Body of Christ.   Christian young people are being saturated with a biblically deficient, superfi- cial, religious emotionalism and the older believers are being bullied into surrendering scriptural values which make up the basis for building strong Chris- tian lives.    And since there is only one Gospel which is able to save a sinner and by which the Christian is kept (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), the lost who are influenced by Christian Rock are only assuming vain religious trappings.    Contemporary Christian Music is neither evan- gelistic nor edifying.   Something must be done!   But are you willing to trust the Lord and do it?    The Word of God says: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord... ." Ephesians 5:18 and 19 "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, sing- ing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16

The areas of consideration which are suggest- ed by these two passages are: 1) the NATURE OF THE MUSIC and 2) the EFFECT OF THE MUSIC.   It is important to address the lyrics, the score and the character of music when considering its nature. And when assessing the effect music has on its lis- teners the doctrinal aspect and the personal impact it makes should be considered.    Ephesians 5:19 alludes to the three com- ponents of music which comprise its nature when we are exhorted to speak to one another in "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs."   Of course, the most overt method of communicating ideas, emo- tions and values is through the lyrics.   This par- ticular ingredient of spiritual music is suggested by the word "songs."   Irrespective of the musical score and the character of the music, the lyrics should be spiritually oriented, sufficiently clear so as to con- vey spiritual truth plainly.   The lyrics must also be consistent with biblical revelation.   Most Contem- porary Christian Music must be rejected at this point for its lack of true spirituality.    Words can preach a message of purity, despair or nihilism.   Lyrics of Christian music should be spiritual not merely religious.   John Styll, an entre- preneur of Christian Rock, recognizes the clichéd and simplistic lyrics which characterize this music. But his remedy is to make "more poignant and truthful statements about the human condition." The primary focus of a spiritual song, however, should certainly be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. It is He who is our life if we have been risen with Him (Colossians 3:1-4).   Our hearts, heads and hands should be directed heavenward -- not in our profession alone, but in our manner of life as well.    The music to which we listen should be foster- ing this attitude of heavenly affection.   And the words of a song should encourage practical sub- mission to God's order in all our personal affairs.   In family relationships (Colossians 3:18-21), in work relationships (Colossians 3:22-24), in all our inter- personal relationships (Ephesians 5:21}, the saints must be sensitive to the Spirit and ready to do the Lord's will.   Having Jesus Christ as one's Saviour should truly make a difference in one's life.    Too often this is not the attitude fostered by Contemporary Christian Music.   "What a Difference You've Made," written by Archie Jordan and re- corded by Amy Grant, is typical of the shallow view of the new life in Christ which is characteristic of Christian Rock.   The difference Christ makes is that

"[He is] my sunshine day and night," and "[He] replaced all the broken parts [in my heart]."   This characterization of the Christian life is woefully short of the glorious practical differences the Christ of the Bible has wrought for His children.    One might argue that music is an art form.   But as Christian musicians become more and more "ar- tistic" the lyrics of Contemporary Christian Music become more and more obscure until they retain virtually no spiritual value.   Lyrics become so alle- gorical that a truly spiritual lesson is imperceptible. This indefiniteness opens the door to many incor- rect understandings concerning the point of a partic- ular song, which fosters the acceptance of teachings which are unbiblical and even antibiblical.    "Fairytale," written by Brown Bannister, vaguely represents life without Jesus Christ as a Peter Pan fantasy, which obliterates the biblical teaching of the reality of living moment by moment under the wrath of God.   Likening salvation to the kiss of a Prince given to Sleeping Beauty, there is room for any "Christian" concept of the new birth.   The Cor- inthians were encouraged to speak plainly in order to edify the [local] church (1 Corinthians 14:6-12).   That exhortation is as valuable today as it was 1900 years ago.    The lyrics of Christian music must conform to Biblical truth as well.   A Christian musician has no valid claim to artistic liberty when handling God's Word and the truths revealed in it.   Don Francisco's "Too Small A Price" freely paraphrases the conver- sation of the thieves who were crucified with the Lord (Luke 23).   This results in substantial variations from the biblical account.   The record that God has left us may indeed be too inconvenient to sing or perhaps less than marketable in our contemporary rock culture.   Nevertheless, a Christian musician who claims to be singing for the Lord must be care- ful to avoid any appearance of conflict between his LP record and the Divine Record.    From the text in Ephesians the word "psalms" suggests the second component which a Christian should consider when choosing music -- the score. The arrangement of the musical notes is a no less important ingredient in spiritual music.   Studies have concluded that the score will affect the lis- tener physically, emotionally and spiritually.   This same principle may be observed in the Scriptures in 1 Samuel 16:14-23.   David played cunningly before Saul and he experienced physical, emotional and spiritual revival (verse 23).

The arrangements which characterize soft rock cause emotional and psychological responses which may not be perceived by the listener.   The loud, driv- ing syncopation of hard rock' n' roll causes involun- tary physical responses over which the hearer has no control.   Just as the natural man can be soothed by music (as exemplified by Saul), these natural aspects of man can be bombarded and manipulated until adverse spiritual effects are wrought.   It is not that Christian Rock has contributed to the perpe- tration of suicide or mass murder, as with secular rock music, but that spirituality is being eroded and carnality is being propagated.    As the Christian is approached from the carnal nature, that is, the natural man, true spirituality is discouraged.   Rather than setting the affections on things above, the saint is spiritually sabotaged. The arrangement of the musical notes should not overshadow the message conveyed by the lyrics but should compliment it.   But when the style which is characteristic of secular pop and soft rock is employed, emotionalism takes over and essen- tially supercedes that which is truly spiritual.    The style of hard rock known as heavy metal is primarily loud.   "Headbangers" is a more than suit- able nickname for the heavy metal bands.   Stryper epitomizes this facet of Religious Rock as they market their music as an "attack."   One secular music magazine noted that Stryper was a credible metal band "from the first thunderous guitar riff to the last holy scream."   Bobby Sweet, drummer for Stryper, conceded in ROCK magazine that "rock 'n' roll is about making powerful music and touching people's lives."   When these Christian musicians subordinated the message of Jesus Christ to the heavy metal sound, the musical notes, their arrange- ment and performance superceded the message of the band.    The final and most obscure component in the nature of music is its character.   This is suggested by the word "hymns" in Ephesians 5:19.   While it is more difficult to define the character of music, it is no less discernible.   Irreverence, universalism, a superficial religiousness, new- evangelicalism or a charismatic character may be presented.   And be- cause the character of music is not always readily apparent to the listener, it has the most insidious effect on believers.   As the saint is slowly anesthe- tized spiritually, tolerance or acceptance of false doctrine can arise from constant subjection to deficient and improper attitudes in music.

Servant is a Christian Rock band that features "edgy, rhythmic, treble rock and an aggressive stage performance... ."   Not only is their show "filled with the salvation message," but it is augmented with smoke-bombs and flash-pots.   Their 1983 national tour was billed as "The Largest Christian Rock- Gospel Show in America."   Such a contradictory testimony immediately suggests an irony.   Imagine the salvation message punctuated by smoke- bombs, and presented a la P.T. Barnum.   The frivolity of a "show" detracts immensely from the gravity of the Gospel.    Barry McGuire has recorded a song about his conversion and his new life in Christ entitled, "Cos- mic Cowboy."   It does not present the way of salva- tion nor the walk of faith.   It demeans the Person and Work of God the Son.   Christian youth are afflic- ted with the "Cosmic Cowboy Syndrome" when it comes to a real understanding of who Jesus Christ is and what He has accomplished.   The character of Christian music is easily adopted by listeners and will draw them away from the firm foundation of the Word.    The effect music has on the listener is obviously related to the nature of the music.   While Ephesians 5:19 reveals three aspects which comprise the nature of music, Colossians 3:16 addresses the effects music should have upon its hearers: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs... .    When we sing or when the believer sits under the ministry of song, it is the Word of Christ which is to be spoken among ourselves and which is to dwell richly in us.    There are two areas suggested by the words "teaching and admonishing."   First, the Biblical requirement that Christian music be a channel for correct doctrine is presented by the word "teach- ing."   Spiritual music will lead the saint into increas- ing knowledge of his God and Saviour.    Does the song present a spiritual truth from God's Word and then explain, clarify and apply it? There is much false teaching to which unwary Christians are subjected hour after hour as they sit between a pair of headphones.   As the lyrics, score and character of Contemporary Christian Music is absorbed, there is little consideration given to the correctness of the teaching of the music.

Amy Grant's "Walking in the Light" illustrates a popular but fatal doctrinal error: The sun woke me up real early,   It's a beautiful morn. 'Cause I'm goin' down to the river   To be reborn. Now me and Jesus did some heavy   Talkin' last night. So I'm goin' down to be dipped and   Come up walkin' in the light.    Contrary to the biblical teaching regarding salvation from the penalty and power of sin, "Walk- ing in the Light" teaches that baptism is essential in salvation as well as personal sanctification.    Spiritual Christian music should not only teach but also admonish the believer.   An admonition is a warning given to remind.   Day after day the child of God needs to be reminded to go on in the things he has been taught from the Word.   It is only a Scrip- tural admonition which will have the effect upon the spiritual man that the Holy Spirit intends. Emotionalism has no place in the heart of a saint as he purposes to do the Word of God.   A commitment to biblical principles which is based on human emotion will fade and perish.   It is the Word of the living God which endures for ever and which in- duces by the operation of the Holy Spirit a genuine conviction in the Christian's inner man.   Only this Spirit wrought conviction will bring about a lasting change in the saint's life.    Contemporary Christian Music is generically deficient when considered in the light of God's holy Word.   It is established upon the false notion that "you can't go blaring hymns...to someone who only understands rock."   The Bible makes it plain that the conversion of a sinner results in the crea- tion by God of a new nature.   It is critical to nurture that new born babe in Christ in order that he may grow.   To cater to the appetites and habits of the old man is deprecating the power of the Holy Spirit and the effectiveness and value of the Word of God.    This basic defect is aggravated by the way in which Christian Rock is marketed.   Shiela Walsh is unabashedly presented as the Christians' equi- valent of the "sexy 'secular' rock 'n' roll Grammy winner," Pat Benatar.   Amy Grant is compared to secular soft pop-rock stars Carole King and the late Karen Carpenter.   Christians have their own hard rockers as well -- Steve Taylor, Rez Band and Petra to name a few.

The attitude which is so prevalent in Contem- porary Christian Music -- we are just like them -- ensures the failure of Religious Rock to be truly spiritual.   The Christian is called out of the world, but "more and more Christians are dropping their old 'demonic beat' misgivings and deciding rock is an acceptable and effective medium" for evangeli- zation and edification.    Christian Rock has weaseled its way into churches where the older, more spiritually mature saints had previously resisted its intrusion.   It has left a pall of carnality hanging over the younger generation of believers through the incessant barrage of shallow lyrics and worldly music pre- sented in the character of the secular rock culture. That carnality is being perpetuated through a lack of sound scriptural teaching and Spirit-empowered admonition.   True children of God are rendered impotent in the warfare of this Age.   There is little understanding of the Christian life, the Person and Work of Christ or the believer's judgment.    The results of this compromise are degenera- tive.   The situation within the churches will get worse and worse as more and more religious peo- ple are brought in who have no concept of biblical salvation.   Christian Rock encourages sinners to "give [Jesus] all of your love."   But the Bible says "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; ...and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3 and 4).   The lost must believe this testimony and receive Jesus Christ as Saviour.    Christian, it is time to take your stand against the onslaught of the world as it is embodied in Con- temporary Christian Music.   Let us not be ashamed at the Lord's return! Fundamental Evangelistic Association P.O. Box 6278 Los Osos, California 93412

THE Drift of the TIMES SOUND THE ALARM ! by Charles Haddon Spurgeon [This article was written in 1888.   It is Spurgeon's statement as to why he sep- arated from the compromising London Baptist Association.] SEPARATION NOT ALONE OUR PRIVILEGE BUT OUR DUTY Friends will have noticed with interest the repeated debates in the London Baptist Association, as to whether there should be "A credal basis" and what that basis should be, if it were decided to have one. There seems to be a current opinion that I have been at the bottom of all this controversy, and if I have not appeared in it, I have, at least, pulled the wires.   But this is not true.   I have taken a deep interest in the struggles of the orthodox brethren; but I have never advised those struggles, nor enter- tained the slightest hope of their success.   My course has been of another kind.   As soon as I saw, or thought I saw, that error had become firmly established, I did not deliberate, but quitted the body at once.   Since then my one counsel has been, "come [ye] out from among them[.]"   (II Corinthians 6:17)   If I have rejoiced in the loyalty to Christ's truth which has been shown in other courses of action, yet I have felt that no protest could be equal to that of distinct separa- tion from known evil.

I never offered to the Union, or to the Association the arrogant bribe of personal return if a creed should be adopted; but on the contrary.   I told the deputation from the Union that I should not return until I had seen how matters went, and I declined to mix up my own personal action with the considera- tion of a question of vital importance to the com- munity.   I never sought from the Association the consideration of "A credal basis," but on the con- trary, when offered that my resignation might stand over till such a consideration had taken place, I assured the brethren that what I had done was final, and did not depend upon their action in the matter of a creed.   The attempt, therefore, to obtain a basis of union in the Association, whatever may be thought of it, should be viewed as a matter altogether apart from me, for so indeed it has been. SHOULD THE ASSOCIATION BE EXCLUSIVE OR INCLUSIVE? I may, however, venture to express the opinion that the evangelical brethren in the Association have acted with much kindness, and have shown a strong desire to abide in union with others, if such union could be compassed without the sacrifice of truth. They as good as said--We think there are some few great truths which are essential to the reception of the Christian religion, and we do not think we should be right to associate with those who repudi- ate those truths.   Will you not agree that these truths should be stated, and that it should be known that persons who fail to accept these vital truths cannot join the Association?   The points mentioned were certainly elementary enough, and we did not wonder that one of the brethren exclaimed, "May God help those who do not believe these things. Where must they be?"   Indeed, little objection was taken to the statements which were tabulated, but the objection was to a belief in these being made indispensable to membership.   It was as though it had been said, "Yes, we believe in the Godhead of Jesus; but we would not keep a man out of our fellowship because he thought our Lord to be a mere man.   We believe in the atonement; but if another man rejects it, he must not, therefore, be excluded from our number."   Here was the point at issue: one party would gladly fellowship with every person who had been baptized, and the other party desired that at least the elements of the faith should

be believed, and the first principles of the Gospel should be professed by those who were admitted into the fellowship of the Association.   Since neither party could yield the point in dispute, what remained for them but to separate with as little friction as possible? WHY SHOULD THE NEW RELIGIONISTS AND BELIEVERS WISH TO BE TOGETHER? To this hour, I must confess that I do not under- stand the action of either side in this dispute, if viewed in the white light of logic.   Why should they wish to be together?   Those who wish for the illimit- able fellowship of men of every shade of belief or doubt would be all the freer for the absence of those stubborn evangelicals who have cost them so many battles.   The brethren, on the other hand, who have a doctrinal faith, and prize it, must have learned by this time that whatever terms may be patched up, there is no spiritual oneness between themselves and the new religionists.   They must also have felt that the very endeavor to make a con- tact which will tacitly be understood in two senses is far from being an ennobling and purifying exer- cise to either party. THE BRETHREN IN THE MIDDLE The brethren in the middle are the source of this clinging together of discordant elements.   These who are for peace at any price, who persuade themselves that there is very little wrong, who care chiefly to maintain existing institutions, these are the good people who induce the weary com- batants to repeat the futile attempt at a coalition, which, in the nature of things, must break down.   If both sides could be unfaithful to conscience, or if the glorious Gospel could be thrust altogether out of the question, there might be a league of amity established; but as neither of these things can be, there would seem to be no reason for persevering in the attempt to maintain a confederacy for which there is no justification in fact, and from which there can be no worthy result, seeing it does not embody a living truth.   A desire for unity is com- mendable.   Blessed are they who can promote it and preserve it!   But there are other matters to be considered as well as unity, and sometimes these may even demand the first place.   When union becomes a moral impossibility, it may almost drop

out of calculation in arranging plans and methods of working.   If it is clear as the sun at noonday that no real union can exist it is idle to strive after the impossible, and it is wise to go about other and more practicable business. SEPARATION A DUTY Numbers of good brethren in different ways remain in fellowship with those who are undermining the Gospel; and they talk of their conduct as though it were a loving course which the Lord will approve of in the day of His appearing.   We cannot understand them.   The bounden duty of a true believer towards men who profess to be Christians, and yet deny the Word of the Lord, and reject the fundamentals of the Gospel, is to come out from among them.   To stay in a community which fellowships all beliefs in the hope of setting matters right is as though Abraham had stayed at Ur, or at Haran, in the hope of converting the household out of which he was called. Complicity with error will take from the best of men the power to enter any successful protest against it.   If any body of believers had errorists among them, but were resolute to deal with them in the name of the Lord, all might come right; but con- federacies founded upon the principle that all may enter, whatever views they hold, are based upon disloyalty to the truth of God.   If truth is optional, error is justifiable. THE ARMY OF INTERMEDIATES SHOULD CEASE BEING POLITIC There are now two parties in the religious world, and a great mixed multitude who from various causes decline to be ranked with either of them.   In this army of intermediates are many who have no right to be there; but we spare them.   The day will, however, come when they will have to reckon with their consciences.   When the light is taken out of its place, they may have to mourn that they were not willing to trim the lamp, nor even to notice that the flame grew dim. Our present sorrowful protest is not a matter of this man or that, this error or that; but of principle.   There either is something essential to a true faith--some truth which is to be believed; or else everything is

left to each man's taste.   We believe in the first of these opinions, and hence we cannot dream of religious association with those who might on the second theory be acceptable.   Those who are of our mind should, at all cost, act upon it.   The Lord give them decision, and wean them from all policy and trimming! THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY GOSPEL NOW DERIDED The party everywhere apparent has a faith fashioned for the present century--perhaps we ought rather to say, for the present month.   The sixteenth cen- tury Gospel it derides, and that, indeed, of every period except the present most enlightened era.   It will have no creed because it can have none; it is continually on the move; it is not what it was yes- terday, and it will not be tomorrow what it is today. Its shout is for "Liberty," its delight is invention, its element is change.   On the other hand, there still survive, amid the blaze of nineteenth century light, a few whom these superior persons call "Fossils"; that is to say, there are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who consider that the true Gospel is no new gospel, but is the same yesterday, today, and forever.   These do not believe in "Advanced views," but judge that the view of truth which saved a soul in the second century will save a soul now, and that a form of teaching which was unknown till the last few years is of very dubious value, and is, in all prob- ability, "another gospel: Which is not another[.]" (Galatians 1:6-7) It is extremely difficult for these two parties to abide in union.   The old fable of the collier who went home to dwell with the fuller is nothing to it. The fuller would by degrees know the habits of his coaly companion, and might thus save the white linen from his touch; but in this case there are no fixed quantities on the collier's side, and nothing like permanency even in the black of his coal.   How can his friend deal with him, since he changes with the moon?   If, after long balancing of words, the two parties could construct a basis of agreement, it would, in the nature of things, last only for a season, since the position of the advancing party would put the whole settlement out of order in a few weeks. The adjustment of difficulties would be a task forever beginning, and never coming to an end.   If we agree, after a sort, today, a new settlement will be needed tomorrow.   If I am to stay where I am, and

you are to go traveling on, it is certain that we can- not long lodge in the same room.   Why should we attempt it? DIFFERENCE OF SPIRIT BETWEEN NEW RELIGIONISTS AND OLD BELIEVERS Nor it it merely doctrinal belief--there is an essen- tial difference in spirit between the old believer and the man of new and advancing views.   This is painfully perceived by the Christian man before very long.   Even if he be fortunate enough to escape the sneers of the cultured, and the jests of the philosophical, he will find his deepest convictions questioned, and his brightest beliefs misrepre- sented by those who dub themselves "Thoughtful men."   When a text from the Word has been pecu- liarly precious to his heart, he will hear its athen- ticity impugned, the translation disputed, or its Gospel reference denied.   He will not travel far on the dark continent of modern thought before he will find the efficacy of prayer debated, the opera- tion of divine Providence questioned, and the spe- cial love of God denied.   He will find himself to be a stranger in a strange land when he begins to speak of his experience, and of the ways of God to men.   In all probability, if he be faithful to his old faith, he will be an alien to his mother's children, and find that his soul is among lions.   To what end, therefore, are these strainings after a hollow unity, when the spirit of fellowship is altogether gone? The world is large enough, why not let us go our separate ways?   Loud is the cry of our opponents for liberty; let them have it by all means.   But let us have our liberty also.   There is a right of association which we do not forego, and this involves a right of disassociation, which we retain with equal tenaci- ty.   Those who are so exceedingly liberal, large- hearted, and broad-minded might be so good as to allow us to forego the charms of their society with- out coming under the full violence of their wrath. SEPARATION THE ONLY COMPLETE PROTEST At any rate, cost what it may, to separate ourselves from those who separate themselves from the truth of God is not alone our liberty, but our duty.   I have raised my protest in the only complete way by com-

ing forth, and I shall be content to abide alone until the day when the Lord shall judge the secrets of all hearts; but it will not seem to me a strange thing if others are found faithful, and if others judge that for them also there is no path but that which is pain- fully apart from the beaten track. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doc- trine which ye have learned; and avoid them.   (18)For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.   (19)For your obedience is come abroad unto all men.   I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concern- ing evil.   (20)And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.   Amen."   (Romans 16:17-20). p A FAITHFUL MESSAGE FROM THE PAST and A TIMELY WORD FOR THE PRESENT "For there is some danger of falling into a soft and effeminate Christianity, under the plea of a lofty and ethereal theology.   Christianity was born for endurance; not an exotic, but a hardy plant, braced by the keen wind; not languid, nor childish, nor cowardly.   It walks with strong step and erect frame; it is kindly, but firm; it is gentle, but honest; it is calm, but not facile; obliging, but not imbecile; decided, but not churlish.   It does not fear to speak the stern word of condemna- tion against error, nor to raise its voice against surrounding evils, under the pretext it is not of this world; it does not shrink from giving honest reproof, lest it come under the charge of display- ing an unchristian spirit.   It calls sin sin, on whomsoever it is found, and would rather risk the accusation of being actuated by a bad spirit than not discharge an explicit duty.   Let us not misjudge strong words used in honest con- troversy.   Out of the heat a viper may come forth;

but we shake it off and feel no harm.   The religion of both Old and New Testaments is marked by fervent outspoken testimonies against evil.   To speak smooth things in such a case may be sen- timentalism, but it is not Christianity.   It is a be- trayal of the cause of truth and righteousness.   If anyone should be frank, manly, honest, cheerful (I do not say blunt and rude, for a Christian must be courteous and polite); it is he who has tasted that the Lord is gracious, and is looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.   I know that charity covereth a multitude of sins; but it does not call evil good, because a good man has done it; it does not excuse inconsisten- cies, because the inconsistent brother has a high name and a fervent spirit; crookedness and worldliness are still crookedness and worldli- ness, though exhibited in one who seems to have reached no common height of attainment." --Horatius Bonar

WE ARE ALL GUILTY BEFORE GOD "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" --Romans 3:10 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" --Romans 3:23 NONE CAN ENTER HEAVEN WITH THIS SIN "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomi- nation, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." --Revelation 21:27 ALL WHO DIE IN THEIR SIN WILL SUFFER ETERNALLY "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." --Revelation 20:15 WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT OUR SIN? Can church membership, church ordinances, or good works save us?   NO!   God says these cannot save from the penalty of sin! "Not by works of righteousness which we have

done, but according to his mercy he saved us..." --Titus 3:5 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight..." --Romans 3:20 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..." --Isaiah 64:6 WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED? Believe that Christ died and shed His blood to pay the penalty for our sin and rose again bodily from the grave. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." --Romans 5:6 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." --Romans 5:8 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" --Ephesians 1:7 Trust (believe) in Jesus Christ as your risen Saviour and Lord today! "To him [Jesus Christ] give all the prophets wit-

ness, that through his name whosoever believ- eth in him shall receive remission [forgiveness] of sins." --Acts 10:43 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into con- demnation; but is passed from death unto life." --John 5:24 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" --John 1:12 "Who [the Lord Jesus Christ] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our jus- tification." --Romans 4:25 Salvation is a FREE GIFT given to anyone who acknowledges his lost, hopeless condition as a sinner, turns from every other confidence, and, by faith, accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour.   Trust Christ NOW! F. E. A.

The

FALSE GOSPEL

of ISL_M

FOR CENTURIES, Christians have recognized Is-

lam as a false religion.   Until recently Musl_ms

(or Mohamm_dans as they have been known in

the past) have been the focus of evangelistic

outreaches.   But today many people are consid-

ering Isl_m from a more ecumenical point of

view.   It is often said that Christians, Jews, and

Musl_ms are worshipping the same God, but in

different ways.   Musl_ms have capitalized on this

misconception and now urge Christians and

Jews to worship the one God with them, and

work together for solutions to the world's many

social problems.   It is important to know some of

the history and false doctrines of Isl_m, and to

reject the new approach of this fast growing

religion.

   Isl_m began about 600 A.D. in what is

modern Saudi Arabia.   Muhamm_d, the

"prophet" of Isl_m, received what is purported to

be a revelation from God.   This revelation is

known as the Qur’_n, the holy book of Isl_m.

From its dubious beginnings, Isl_m has grown

to approximately a billion adherents worldwide.

For centuries Isl_m has exerted a great deal of

influence over the people of the Middle East and

Africa, even dominating southern Europe for a

time.   Today Isl_m is endeavoring once again to

have a significant influence upon the culture

and society of the Western World.

   The new image Isl_m is trying to present in

the West is a far cry from the fanaticism and

violence advocated by many Musl_m leaders.

Nevertheless, the devotion of Musl_ms in the

West to Isl_mic principles is as uncompromis-

ing as any in the world.   The presentation of

Isl_m in Europe and North America is character-

ized by intellectualism rather than emotional-ism.   The irrational religious frenzy by which

Isl_m has become recognized worldwide is cov-

ered by a facade of civility.   Yet, Musl_ms around

the world concur that Isl_mic laws and principles

take precedence over the decency and morality of

civilization.

   No matter how intellectual, civilized, or

scientific Isl_m is made to appear, it is still a

religion which embodies "another gospel: Which

is not another" (Gal. 1:6-7).   The Lord declares it

accursed (Gal. 1:8).   True Christians must be

prepared to present the one true Gospel of salva-

tion to Musl_ms, desiring that they be delivered

from their religious bondage.

   The most important thing for Christians to

know when confronted with the teachings of a

false religion is the Truth.   It cannot be too

forcefully stated that Christians must know the

Scriptures.   In evangelism, therefore, we must

know the Evangel.

   Our message to Musl_ms is that they, like all

men, are lost.   All are naturally at enmity with

God (Ps. 14:2-3; John 3:36b; Eph. 2:1-3).   There is no

good in us that can merit God's favour and there is

no good we can do to endear ourselves to Him

(Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:12; 19-20; Titus 3:5).   But,

being lost and unable to effect our own salvation,

God did all that is required to reconcile men to

Himself.   Christ bore our sin, died on the Cross

shedding His Blood as a completely propitious

sacrifice for sin, and He rose again bodily from

the dead.   Believing this testimony and wholly

trusting Jesus Christ for salvation is all that is

necessary to be saved (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 5:1,6-

9; Col. 1:12-22; 2 Cor. 5:18-21).

   The "gospel" of Isl_m is something quite dif-

ferent.   Similar to many modern cults, Isl_m

claims to revere the writings of all the prophets.

Yet, Musl_ms unequivocally subjugate the Scrip-

tures to the "prophecy" of Muhamm_d.

   A leaflet prepared by the Institute of Isl_mic

Information and Education titled "Introducing

Isl_m to Non-Musl_ms" states, "Muhamm_d is

the very last Prophet of God to mankind.   He is the

final Messenger of God.   His message was and is

still to the Christians, the Jews and the rest of mankind.   He was sent to those religious people

to inform them about the true mission of Jesus,

Moses, David, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham."

   The leaflet continues, "Muhamm_d is con-

sidered to be the summation and the culmina-

tion of all the prophets and messengers that

came before him.   He purified the previous mes-

sages from adulteration and completed the Mes-

sage of God for all humanity.   He was entrusted

with the power of explaining, interpreting and

living the teachings of the Qur’_n."

   Believers must recognize that Joseph Smith

(Mormonism), Charles T. Russell (Jehovah's

Witnesses), Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Sci-

ence), and Ellen G. White (Seventh Day Ad-

ventism) have all claimed that same transcen-

dent authority.   And along with these, Muham-

mad was the bearer of wicked doctrines that have

plunged many into the outer darkness of eternal

torment.

   Among the insidious doctrines of Isl_m is

the rejection of the doctrine of imputation.

"Introducing Isl_m to Non-Musl_ms" explains,

"Musl_ms believe that people are born free of sin.

It is only after they reach the age of puberty and

it is only after they commit sins that they are to

be charged for their mistakes.   No one is respon-

sible for or can take the responsibility for the sins

of others."

   First, this is a denial of the Biblical teaching

that all mankind sinned in Adam, that is, Adam's

sin has been imputed to the whole human race

(Rom. 5:12-14).   Second, this is a denial of the

Biblical teaching that the sin of man is imputed

to Christ, that is, Christ became sin for us on

Calvary's Cross (2 Cor. 5:21).   Third, this is a

denial of the Biblical teaching that the righteous-

ness of God is imputed to men upon believing,

that is, believers possess the righteousness of

God (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:15-19).   By denying

these truths which are fundamental to the Gos-

pel of salvation by grace through faith alone,

Isl_m has laid the groundwork for a "gospel" of

self-righteousness and salvation by works.

   The Bible teaches that salvation is NOT a

reward.   Heaven is the eternal abode of those who have received Christ the Saviour.   Isl_m teaches

that salvation is indeed a reward for a life of

relative piety and righteousness.   The Qur’_n

states, "Then those whose scales are heavy, they

are successful.   And those whose scales are light

are those who lose their souls... ."   In fact, Mus-

lims are encouraged to "vie with one another to

attain to your Sustainer's forgiveness and to a

Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth,

which awaits the God-conscious, who spend for

charity in time of plenty and in time of hardship,

and restrain their anger, and pardon their fellow

men, for God loves those who do good."

   From these denials of fundamental Biblical

teachings and the establishment of a religion of

self-righteousness follows the Isl_mic repudia-

tion of the Saviour.   The following is so important

to Isl_m that it was printed in very bold type in

the leaflet "Prophethood in Isl_m": "The Quranic

account of Jesus emphatically rejects the con-

cept of his ‘Divinity’ and ‘Divine Sonship’... ."   The

Institute of Isl_mic Information and Education

publishes a leaflet entitled "Is Jesus Really God?"

In it they totally reject the Biblical teaching that

Jesus is God manifest in the flesh.

   Nevertheless, the Word is plain: "God was

manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. 3:16).   Jesus is the

self-existent I AM (John 8:58).   The Creator dwelled

as a man among men (John 1:1-3,14).   Jesus Christ

is the Forgiver of sin (Lk. 5:20-21).   In short, the

Son and the Father are one (John 10:30).   The Lord

said to the religious of His day who rejected His

deity, "...if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die

in your sins" (John 8:24).

   Isl_m unashamedly rejects these truths

which comprise the Gospel.   While many people

today say that Christians and Musl_ms worship

the same God, the Lord says, "Whosoever trans-

gresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of

Christ, hath not God" (2 Jn. 9).   An even

greater condemnation is pronounced by God in

verse seven.   Denying the doctrine of Christ re-

veals Isl_m as a deception and an antichrist reli-

gion.   The Qur’_n has substituted false doctrines

which present another gospel.   Isl_m purports to

be "the way of peace," but the end of Isl_m is the way of death.   Bible-believers must not yield

these eternally important points merely because

Isl_m claims to esteem the patriarchs and the

prophets.   It is our responsibility to testify to the

Truth, even as we cry out against the error of any

false religion.

   It is important for God's people to be aware

of the fact that many so-called Christians are

willing to compromise the Truth of God's Word

in the interest of building bridges with various

religions.   Isl_m seems to be asserting itself in

the area of religious dialogue, and men and

women who claim to represent Christianity are

quickly building the credibility of Isl_m as a true

religion.   Instead of witnessing, Christians are

encouraged to discover common ground with

Musl_ms.   Rather than exposing its errors, Chris-

tians are told to search for the truth in Isl_m.

Thus, Isl_m is gaining a respectability that is

simply not deserved.

   While "Christians" are manifesting their

"open-mindedness," Musl_ms are spreading

their false religious propaganda under the cover

of dialogue.   Musl_ms believe that all mankind

must be brought into subjection to the spurious

teachings of the Qur’_n in order to experience

peace and blessing.   They will not compromise

that belief.   Musl_ms believe that the doctrine of

the Incarnation of God is blasphemy.   They will

not compromise that belief.   Musl_ms believe

that Muhamm_d is the prophet who fully re-

vealed the final truth.   They will not compromise

that belief.   Musl_ms are "devoted to their ide-

als,... and uncompromising with falsehood"

("Moral System of Isl_m").   Only the glorious,

liberating light of the one true Gospel will be

able to break through such darkness.

   Although those who practice Isl_m profess

"to respect all those who are faithful and God

conscious people," it is their contention that the

one true religion is Isl_m.   Musl_ms trace the

"true religion" from Abraham through Ishmael,

but the Bible absolutely contradicts this notion.

Genesis 17:15-21 makes it clear that God re-

jected Ishmael, confirming the covenant bless-

ings--including the fulfillment of the true reli-gion to Isaac alone.   In chapter 21 Hagar and

Ishmael are cast out of Abraham's house with

the sanction of God, "Let it not be grievous in

thy sight" (v. 12).

   Galatians chapter three deals with this

subject of the true religion and directly refer-

ences the events of Genesis 17 and 21.   Galatians

3:8 says, "And the scripture, forseeing that God

would justify the heathen through faith,

preached before the gospel unto Abraham, say-

ing, In thee shall all nations be blessed."   The

promise of salvation for Jew and Gentile was

prophesied to come through the seed of Abra-

ham.   Verse 16 clearly relates the true religion,

the only Gospel, to the promise made to Abra-

ham in Genesis 17:15-21: "Now to Abraham and

his seed were the promises made.   He [God] saith

not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And

to thy seed, which is Christ."   The Gospel

preached to Abraham was the Gospel of Christ

delivered through Isaac, not the gospel of Isl_m

delivered through Ishmael.

   Isl_m claims to be a religion of peace and

tolerance.   It is, in fact, characterized by instabil-

ity and religious bigotry.   It is our duty to stand

for THE Gospel and against all other gospels.

Isl_m has rejected the essential teachings of the

Word of God.   The "prophet" Muhamm_d

brought a message from a false spirit that totally

opposes the Gospel of grace.   The message of

Isl_m is a curse, not a blessing.

   Isl_m is being presented as a practical,

modern religion though it holds its adherents in

spiritual bondage.   Christians must be diligent to

witness to--not dialogue with--Musl_ms.   This

is God's way of presenting the glorious light of

the Gospel.   There is only one true religion.   It was

prophesied in the Garden of Eden, typified in the

days of Noah, confirmed to Abraham and Isaac,

and realized in Jesus Christ.

-- Ric Llewellyn 

WHAT IS THE FASTEST GROWING religious
movement in the world today? The Char-
ismatic movement! What movement is
attracting and deceiving more Christians within
evangelical and fundamental churches than any
other? The Charismatic movement.

What individual has exercised the greatest degree of influence in persuading non-charismatic evangelicals to accept the false teachings and practices of the Charismatic movement? John Wimber, founder of Vineyard Christian Fellowship and head of Vineyard Ministries International.

What supposedly evangelical theological seminary (founded by a fundamentalist) has become a springboard for the worldwide indoctrination of students, faculty members, pastors, missionaries, and key national leaders from many countries? Fuller Theological Seminary of Pasadena, California, founded by the late Dr. Charles E. Fuller. This dear brother's fundamental messages on the Old Fashioned Gospel Hour Broadcasts endeared him to thousands of faithful believers during his lifetime.

Who are the two most active and effective promoters of charismatic doctrines in non-charismatic evangelical groups today? John Wimber (already identified above) and his disciple, Dr. Peter Wagner who is professor of church growth at Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission.

Why is this article necessary? Why do these men and the institutions they represent pose such a grave danger to all non-charismatic believers? The correct answer to these questions requires a careful consideration of the history of Pentecostalism which originated in 1901; the Charismatic movement which began in the 1960's; and the current infiltration of Pentecostal/charismatic errors and practices into evangelical and fundamental churches and groups under a new, different label. As this article will clearly reveal, this new, supposedly evangelical, non-charismatic approach is not only a dishonest way of promoting Pentecostal/charismatic teachings, but it is actually promoting some doctrines and practices which are so extreme that even some historic Pentecostal and charismatic people are repudiating and protesting even though most of their leaders either participate or remain passive and silent.

The preceding analysis is in no way the expression of a personal bias, but is fully supported by the writings and recorded messages of both John Wimber and Peter Wagner as well as others who have been; directly influenced by their teachings. Neither Wimber nor Wagner try to hide the doctrines they teach. However, they completely disarm evangelicals who are unfamiliar with their overall ministries by claiming that their only desire is to become more Biblical in their doctrine and practices. The truth is .d that they have become less Biblical. They have not only adopted many of the basic errors of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement-they have added error upon error.

Both Wimber and Wagner do admit to being part of a movement now often referred to as "The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit." What is this third wave? In Signs & Wonders Today, one of the many books written by Dr. Peter Wagner, he gives his own definition: "There is no question that a new and exciting era has come upon Christianity in the twentieth century. It started with the Pentecostal movement at the beginning of the century, a movement which continues to multiply under God's blessing. It was joined by the Charismatic movement soon after mid-century. And now in these latter decades the Spirit is moving in what some o f us like to call the third wave where we are seeing the miraculous works of God operating as they have been in the other movements in churches which have not been nor intend to be either Pentecostal or charismatic."

It is abundantly clear that all three of the so called waves of the Holy Spirit are moving in the same direction-the wrong direction!

From what basic roots did this new third wave movement grow? A careful review of books written by John Wimber and Peter Wagner reveal the amazing manner in which Wimber, an evangelical pragmatist, and Wagner, an evangelical scholar, influenced each other in the late 1970's and early 1980's On page XIX of the introduction in John Wimber' 1986 book, Power Evangelism, he tells how Wagner'; book, Look Out! The Pentecostals are Coming changed his own thinking. Wimber wrote:

"I had always avoided Pentecostal and charismatic Christians, in part because it seemed that often controversy and division surrounded their ministries. Also, my judgment of their ministries was colored by a presupposition that charismatic gifts like tongues, prophecy, and healing were not for today. (As a dispensationalist, I believed the charismatic gifts ceased at the end of the first century.) But in Dr. Wagner, I encountered a credible witness, an accomplished missionary and dean of Fuller Theological Seminary's School of World Mission, who wrote that healing and deliverance from evil spirits were happening in South America today. Further, he proved that these miraculous encounters resulted in large evangelistic harvests and church growth. His book forced me to reconsider my position on the charismatic gifts, though I was still skeptical of their validity today."

The following statements by Wimber in the same book on page xx are also very revealing with regard to the faulty doctrinal foundation upon which he constructed his theory of Power Evangelism and built the Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Now, these same unscriptural doctrines which caused a revolution in Wimber's theology are being spread around the world. Many are being deceived.

Wimber stated, "While my understanding and practice of evangelism, the Holy Spirit, and church growth were undergoing a revolution, I still lacked a biblical theology that integrated the three, a grid for understanding how they are supposed to work together and fulfill God's purpose on earth." Wimber then amazingly admits that "a solid, evangelical theology is the foundation on which all practice must stand," but sadly he chose the false theological foundation taught by Dr. Ladd. Wimber wrote: "I was already acquainted with Dr. George Eldon Ladd's writings (he was a Fuller Theological Seminary professor), but it was not until I read his book, Jesus and the Kingdom, that I realized how his work on the kingdom of God formed a theological basis for power evangelism."

On page XXI, Dr. Wimber continues his most revealing explanation of the theological revolution which was taking place in his own thinking: "So in 1978 I left the Charles E. Fuller Institute of Evangelism and Church Growth to become pastor of what is now called the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Anaheim, California. It was in this environment, a small group of fifty people, that "I first tested my theories of power evangelism." Note that John Wimber, the pragmatist, admits he was testing his theories, not expounding the Scriptures. Wimber continues this dangerous practice even to this day. He is continually trying to find out "what works" in the realm of healing, prophetic messages, casting out demons, etc., so that he can then teach it to others. Pragmatism is the exact opposite of faith. Pragmatism says, "If it works, I'll accept and believe it." Faith says, "What I accept and believe is based entirely upon God's written Word, the Bible."

In the concluding paragraph, John Wimber also reveals the unscriptural, ecumenical goals he envisions for his power evangelism theories. "In the final chapters I address the implications of power evangelism for conservative evangelicalism, Pentecostalism and the charismatic renewal in mainline denominations and the Roman Catholic Church. Though I write about power evangelism, the most powerful evangelism will come only when Jesus' prayer for Christian unity is fulfilled." The eventual unity of this incredible doctrinal diversity is a recurring theme found in the supposed prophecies coming out of the Third Wave. Could God possibly be the Author of any form of ecumenism where fidelity to the doctrinal Truth of the Word is abandoned? Absolutely not!

On the back cover of Peter Wagner's 1988 book, The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit, another very significant statement is made which documents the theological revolution through which he has come and the revolution he is continuing to fuel. We quote: "In The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit Wagner candidly recounts how God change his mind and the minds of others around the world who were unable to grasp the connection between the kingdom of God and signs and wonders. Here Wagner describes the basic elements of the Third Wave and offers profound theological and biblical insights into the Spirit's work among us." Wimber wrote the forward to this book which closed with his full endorsement: "I highly recommend The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit if you want to learn how to fulfill the great commission in our generation."

Many of the leaders of all three supposed waves of the Holy Spirit have expressed the belief that the task of world evangelization in these last days can not be accomplished by the preaching of the Gospel unaccompanied by signs, wonders, miracles and healings. Such a view not only is a direct contradiction of the truth of Romans 1:16 but would also force the unthinkable, unscriptural conclusion that millions of people have been deprived of the full power of the gospel for nearly 2000 years. This supposed new or complete gospel is not the Gospel of the Bible!

No one can deny that the entire evangelical movement has been undergoing rapid and serious changes in recent years. This ever-weakening position is mainly due to three factors: (1) Compromise with ecumenical apostasy and Roman Catholicism (2) Acceptance and zealous promotion of the many modern Bible versions. (3) A changed attitude toward the false teachings of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement. The last two factors have also adversely affected many fundamentalists.

Note carefully John Wimber's comments as to the changes he observes in both evangelical and fundamental movements:

"The face of evangelicalism is changing and it is changing quickly. Fundamentalists and conservative evangelicals who are noncharismatic no longer can afford to ignore the first two waves of the Holy Spirit in this century. They are surrounded.... The fundamentalists, have insulated themselves from Pentecostals and charismatics. Most fundamentalists (though not all) stand outside of the first two great waves of the Holy Spirit, holding on to fifty-year old criticisms of Pentecostal excesses. As the move of the Holy Spirit grows around them, I believe many of them could become more vocal in their opposition to Pentecostals and charismatics, while some will be anointed and transformed.

The second group, the conservative evangelicals, is already beginning to show signs of being the object of a new wave, the Third Wave, of the Holy Spirit's work in this century. By conservative evangelicals I mean a subgrouping within evangelicalism that is noncharismatic but not necessarily anticharismatic. This is a group of which I was a part for many years." (From pages XXX and XXXI of the introduction written by John Wimber for the book, Power Encounters published in 1988 and edited by Kevin Springer, one of Wimber's closest associates).

One fact stands out very clearly. All three of the so-called waves of the Holy Spirit have done more than any other movement during this century to break down Biblical distinctions between truth and error, thus paving the way for the coming of the one-world harlot church of the Antichrist.

Before taking a closer look at some of the major heresies now being propagated by Wimber, Wagner and other third wave leaders, quotations from the book edited by Dr. Peter Wagner in 1987 titled Signs & Wonders Today with the subtitle, "The Story of Fuller Theological Seminary's Remarkable Course on Spiritual Power," are most enlightening:

"An accumulating body of missiological research is indicating that, worldwide, where the gospel is spreading most rapidly it is doing so with signs and wonders following. At the beginning of the decade of the '80's, I felt that God wanted me to concentrate on the relationship of supernatural signs and wonders to church growth during the decade. I am now amazed by what has been going on that I knew little about.

Evangelicals are changing. One thing that is surprising me is how open fellow evangelicals are to rethinking their position and opening themselves to new dimensions of God's power. Whenever I say this I need to avoid misunderstanding by making my position clear. I am not advocating that we all become Pentecostals or charismatics. I am a Congregationalist and do not intend to change. My belief is that God desires to work through all His people in powerful ways, leaving our denominational commitments intact.

It is now generally conceded that we are living in the time of the greatest harvest of souls the world has ever seen. Whether this indicates that the second coming of Christ is near, I do not know for sure, but it does seem like it. If it is true that the harvest is here and that signs and wonders constitute one of the dynamics which God is using for reaping that harvest, then God's people, no matter what their theological tradition should pay attention. And they are.

Many Pentecostals who have become somewhat nominal in their Pentecostal practices are now getting a new lease on life. Many non-Pentecostals are tuning into the 'third wave' and seeing God begin to use them in healings and deliverances. Traditional evangelical pastors are attending signs and wonders seminars led by John Wimber and others. Seminaries across the nation are taking seriously the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and introducing courses into their curricula which they would not have considered five or ten years ago. This book is the story of one of them, Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California (pp. 23,24). "

Although many other examples which could be given to reveal the manner in which evangelical churches and groups have been infiltrated by Pentecostal and charismatic teachings, a statement made last year by another professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr. Charles Kraft, is especially significant:

"But I am an evangelical and have been for nearly 50 years, and am real happy to report that the things that started happening in the-oh, the 60's or so in the charismatic movement are starting to happen now among evangelicals-and, among evangelicals who don't call ourselves anything else. I don't call myself a charismatic (some other people do), but I just like to call myself an evangelical who's a little more Biblical than I have been before. As Gary said, I teach at Fuller Seminary and so a lot of things I'll be talking about are things you wouldn't expect from a professor at Fuller Seminary."

One must not lose sight of the fact that although Wimber, Wagner, Kraft and other leaders of the third wave refuse the Pentecostal or charismatic label, their close participation with Pentecostal charismatic leaders in major rallies and conferences refute their non-charismatic claims and document their duplicity.

Although there are minor differences in doctrine and practice, it is important to recognize that Pentecostals, charismatics, and third wave evangelicals all believe that all the spiritual gifts bestowed upon the early church are valid and should be operational today. There is no recognition on the part of any of them that the revelatory gifts ceased with the completion of the canon of Scripture. As a result, all three so-called waves of the Holy Spirit leave themselves vulnerable to deception on the part of those today who claim direct word from God through professed "spiritual gifts" such as dreams, visions, tongues, interpretation of tongues, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc.

Early Pentecostals insisted that speaking in tongues always accompanied the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Emphasis upon that teaching lessened when the charismatic movement came on the scene and Roman Catholic influences increased. Today, Wimber, Wagner and other third wave leaders do speak in tongues but do not make it an evidence that a Christian has been filled with the Holy Spirit. Other differences in emphasis also exist, but the same dangerous doctrinal errors are common to all three waves.

We are glad to report that many who were originally attracted to the Charismatic movement have now separated from it. As they studied the Scriptures, they came to see just how cleverly they had been deceived. Many who were in bondage to the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, went into the Charismatic movement, not realizing that they were in a movement which is leading unsuspecting evangelicals back to Rome. Now they see that they have been twice deceived-first by Romanism and then by the charismatic heresies.

We are greatly concerned about what is happening in the Pentecostal/charismatic movement and especially now in the Power Evangelism/Signs and Wonders third wave movement. The teachings of all these movements strike at the very heart of the Bible and the Gospel. Wimber, Wagner and those who follow their false teachings repeatedly claim that they have discovered that God can speak as well as write. As a result, although claiming the Bible as their authority, they place greater emphasis upon and spend much time in their meetings in the exercise of their supposed gifts of prophecy or word of knowledge. Their deceived followers hang upon every word as they listen to the messages supposedly received directly from God. Wimber, who claims to have the gifts of both prophecy and word of knowledge has been experimenting with these "gifts" for the past two years.

At the Indianapolis conference in 1990, Wimber told them, "It was amazing and astounding to me when I found out that God also could communicate outside of the Scripture and directly to His children-astounding to me-and I have been exploring that paradigm (model) now for a number of years trying to work out the ramifications of that and trying to gain, not only a theological understanding of God's ability to communicate, but a practical understanding so that it can be taught and trained in other people's lives."

John Wimber, the evangelical pragmatist, is always looking for things that work, rather than things which are taught in the written Word of God-the only rule for faith and practice. This is a very dangerous, unscriptural approach. In the providence of God, we have been able to closely follow the words and works of both Wimber and Wagner since their third wave movement was launched. In behalf of Foundation, I covered and wrote a full report on the Academic Symposium on Power Evangelism which was held at Fuller Seminary in December, 1988. It was at that meeting that Wimber recounted his search to find a model for a healing ministry in the church. Where did he look? He said, "We visited 'high' church models, liturgical models, sacramental models. We went to tent meetings and brush arbor meetings. We watched Pentecostals do it . . . We are still thinking, we are still looking at models and trying new things; and we are still training people."

Thinking, looking, searching, trying-does this sound like the gift of healing given to some in the early church? Incidentally, it was at this same meeting that Wagner introduced his theory of "territorial spirits," a new classification of evil spirits not found in the Bible nor in church history. When challenged by one of the scholars on his presentation, Wagner said the intention of his essay was "not to arrive at conclusions but rather to suggest hypotheses." "And," he said, "I trust that the tentativeness of my research will be evident throughout."

Beloved, when any one goes beyond the written Word of God, they are left with no certainties-only theories and tentative answers. All three supposed waves of the Holy Spirit cannot be other than manifestations of a false spirit.

When the Pentecostal movement came on the scene, the emphasis was upon the fact that the special power manifested in the lives of certain believers came as a result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Tongues, prophecies, healings, etc., were gifts-not something to be learned. But, with the coming of the Charismatic movement and even more so in the Power Evangelism movement, the claim is made that the full use and exercise of these spiritual gifts can and must be taught and/or caught. In the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Wimber is trying to teach many others how to heal, how to hear God's voice, how to prophesy, how to receive and communicate words of knowledge, etc. Wimber's false thesis is that the disciples not only heard Jesus' words but they learned how to do His works by being with Him, etc. From that false foundation, Wimber leaps to the false conclusions he teaches concerning the impartation and use of spiritual gifts today.

From January 28-31, 1991, John Wimber and his Vineyard Christian Fellowship held a big conference at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California with the theme "Revival Fire." We covered this meeting with FOUNDATION press credentials, and more information concerning the same will be forthcoming in future issues. So many significant things were said and done there that a more complete report will have to await a review of my notes and tapes of the messages. I can assure you, however, that I came away from that meeting, convinced that this third wave movement is even more deceptive than the previous two. I cannot recall ever having attended another conference through all these years which more deceptively mixed truth and error. Nor can I recall any previous meeting where it appeared that more people were blindly following unscriptural leadership. The Third Wave is captivated by the idea that in these end times, God is supposedly re-establishing the offices of prophet and apostle with the power and authority beyond anything experienced by even the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles.

God's people need to know how several pastors who claimed the special gift of prophecy and became known as the Kansas City Fellowship convinced John Wimber of their supernatural prophetic gifts and, subsequently, how they placed themselves under Wimber's tutelage when so many inconsistencies came to light as to their abuse of prophetic gifts The result is that these false prophets can continue their unscriptural ministries under the Wimber mantle which gives them "evangelical" status and supposed theological legitimacy. Now they can, together, spread their false teachings around the world

Wimber's Revival Fire conference in Anaheim revealed the manner in which false spirits are operating in the name of the Holy Spirit. All the main meetings began with the use of what is often mislabeled as "Christian Rock." Sometimes the music was deafening and produced all kinds of body gyrations on the part of many of those present. At other times, the beat would slow and the sound was reduced almost to a whisper. It obviously was possible to move in a matter of seconds from fleshly demonstration to supposed piety.

At various points in the service, usually near the end when the supposed gifts of the spirit were in operation, several people would begin sobbing loud and uncontrollably. At others times, some would break out in hysterical laughter. On several occasions, people would make animal noises and jump around on the floor. On such occasions, the leader usually John Wimber himself, would quietly say "That's all right-the Holy Spirit is at work." Finally he would shout out - "Come, Holy Spirit-Come," and he would command the Holy Spirit to help or heal and would command Satan to leave. One of the speakers said the Lord had revealed to him that there were a large number of those present who were practicing witchcraft and/or were drug users He invited those who wanted prayer for deliverance to stand up. A young woman who was seated directly in front of me and who had been participating in an apparent reverent manner in all the worship segments, stood up as a public acknowledgment of her sin. She began weeping as did many others in the audience as the speaker "bound Satan" and proclaimed deliverance. Yet, all or most of those present were supposedly already Christians and members of Vineyard Fellowship Churches.

Many contradictions are repeatedly found in the statements of leaders who claim the leading of the Holy Spirit. For instance, John Wimber spoke of the possibility of Christ's return at any moment. But, later he gave an invitation for childless couples to come forward for prayer, saying God had used him in the past to help many such couples have children. Many rushed forward; he prayed for them; then told them the children which would be born as a result of this special gift from the Lord would need special parental attention and care since God had told him that these children would see the coming of the Lord.

There was a great deal of talk at Anaheim about anointed preaching, teaching, praying, witnessing, etc., and special emphasis was given to anointed music. The obvious implication was that the Vineyard musicians were under God's anointing and that everyone must realize what an important part music would play in world evangelization. A well-known country singer sang and gave his testimony. He explained that through his anointed music he could bring the gospel into the bars and other places of worldly amusement where the gospel would not otherwise be tolerated or heard. He received high praise from Wimber, himself a jazz musician before his supposed conversion. Several times statements were made from the platform which I didn't fully understand until several days later. These statements were to the effect that 'we missed God's anointed music the first time He gave it and we must not make the same mistake when he restores that anointing." It wasn't until later that I discovered that this supposed original anointing of music and musicians involved the infamous Beatles.

Was the Beatles' music "anointed of God"? No discerning believer would have any hesitancy about answering such a question with a resounding, "No'!

But, believe it or not, one of the many new false prophets of our day recently claimed that both the Beatles and their new music were the result of; special anointing of the Holy Spirit; and, that although God had to withdraw that anointing from them when they later misused it, God is now looking for others upon whom He can place that anointing supposedly to bring about a worldwide revival through music.

The false prophet who made this astounding claim is James Ryle, one of the growing number of supposed modern prophets associated with John Wimber and his Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Ryle claims that he was instructed by God to give these new "revelations" to the church. The following in formation and excerpts are from a tape recording of Ryle's self-proclaimed revelations given publicly last November at the Harvest Conference in Denver Colorado:

"The Lord has appointed me as a lookout and shown me some things that I want to show you and tell you . . . The Lord spoke to me and said What you saw in the Beatles-the gifting and the sound that they had-was from Me. It did not belong to them. It was my purpose to bring forth through music a worldwide revival that would usher in the move of my Spirit in bringing men and women to Christ ... Now, I'm looking for those who I can place that anointing back upon. And, as surely as I place it upon them, they will come forth with a sound that is distinctive that will turn the hearts of men and women and capture their hearts."

Then, referring to a notable telecast of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show years ago, Ryle said "Do you remember when the camera went off the Beatles into that balcony? . . . Do you remember the people pulling their hair and screaming? Do you remember what they were screaming?-John, Paul George & Ringo! Do you know I saw in a vision this same balcony scene again. I saw the same emotion, the same devotion. I saw the same earnestness on the faces of the people sitting there; but, this time they weren't screaming-John, Paul, George and Ringo-this time they were screaming one name, Jesus,-that's what they were doing. There's a sound coming forth-an anointing upon music that, when those in our midst who are musically gifted begin to employ their talents in the anointing of the Lord, an awesome move of the Spirit of God is going to happen and countless multitudes are going to be thrust into the loving embrace of the Lord Jesus...."

Ryle's statements clearly reveal the Satanic delusions under which he and other so-called modern prophets are ministering. John Wimber and others associated with him in the Vineyard Christian Fellowship are deceiving themselves as well as others. 2 Timothy 3:13-17. The Beatles and their music were clearly of the devil and so is Ryle's false prophecy that millions will be saved through a re-introduction of the "anointed music" originally given through the Beatles. Such a prophecy could not possibly have been from the Holy Spirit!

One of the main teachers at the Revival Fire Conference was Dr. Jack Deere who has become a key figure in the Vineyard ministry. He formerly was a faculty member for 12 years at Dallas Theological Seminary and, along with Dr. Peter Wagner, is one of the top theological leaders of the Power Evangelism movement. However, when you read the following report of what Deere had to say concerning his understanding of the Gospel, you will be shocked as we were.

Deere's remarks were made during a visit of Wimber and his team to Sydney, Australia as reported in the April, 1990 issue of The Briefing. a publication of St. Matthias Press in London, England. During a question and answer session following one of the seminars taught by Deere, he was asked, "What is the Gospel?" Since his answer seemed vague and evasive, a man by the name of Graham Banister questioned Deere further on this matter in a personal interview afterward. We quote his report:

"Let me briefly explain the background to this interview. The Thursday workshop provided a time for questions and during this time I challenged some of Dr. Deere's teaching. In the ensuing dialogue, he asked me what I thought the gospel was. I replied that it was about Jesus Christ who died for our sins and was buried and raised on the third day and that it is this gospel by which we are saved (1 Cor.15). His reply was that this was not the gospel. Somewhat confused, I decided to take up the matter at a future time, hence the following revealing interview.

After introducing myself, I said to Dr. Jack Deere, 'I wonder if you might tell me why you felt my explanation of the gospel was defective yesterday?' To which he replied, 'I'm not really very prepared to talk about that.'

I must admit that I was a little surprised at this initial response, considering he had just finished speaking to five and a half thousand people on false teachers. Added to this was the fact that two days earlier he had informed us of the many ancient languages in which he had become proficient in order to fully understand the Bible. I wouldn't have thought some one with such impressive credentials would need to do all that much preparation for a friendly discussion on the content of the gospel.

Given his lack of preparation, I then asked, 'Well, just off the top of your head, what do you think the gospel is?' Jack Deere replied, 'I'm not prepared to make a formal statement about that.' . . . My next question was, 'Could you perhaps tell me informally what you believe to be the gospel?' Jack Deere answered, 'I'm not sure.' Somewhat stunned, I said, 'I find that quite surprising-that you are not sure what the gospel is.'

Jack Deere then commented, 'I used to be just like you . . . thinking the gospel was simply justification by faith.' I responded, 'Are you saying that the gospel is more than justification by faith?' 'Yes,' he said. 'What would you add to it?' I asked. 'Deliverance,' he said. Then I asked, 'What do you mean by Deliverance?' He explained, 'Things like demons and healing and ....'

Pausing for a deep breath, I said, 'So, let me get this straight. You would add as an essential part of the gospel things like the exorcising of demons and healing?' He nodded. 'Sort of like what John Wimber was saying last night at the evangelistic rally that it's the complete package-the word and the works of Jesus?' 'Yes,' he said. 'But you're not sure exactly what should be included?' I asked. 'No,' he said, 'not yet.'

Not sure of what to say next, I asked, 'Would it be fair to say that you're in a state of flux since you joined the Wimber thing?' He quickly responded, 'We're always in a state of flux-you are too ....' 'But on the gospel message?' I said. 'Surely that's one thing we should have worked out ... Don't you think we can reduce the gospel to some sort of summary statement like Paul does in say 1 Corinthians 1 and 2 or 1 Corinthians 15 or 1 Thessalonians 4 or Romans 5 or...' There was no response except a shrug of the shoulders.

Continuing to be amazed, I said, 'Are you saying that you couldn't go back into that pavilion and tell those people the gospel?' He replied, 'No not yet.' I responded, 'When do you think you could do it?' And he said, 'maybe five years, maybe ten....'

After this we chattered on about a few other things but I remained stunned that one of the leading minds, if not the leading theological mind in the Signs and Wonders Movement, did not know what was the gospel."

How could any true believer not be stunned by such statements? But, John Wimber and other power evangelism leaders apparently were not stunned nor even concerned. Why? It appears that this power evangelism third wave movement has spent so much time trying to hear God speak (prophetic messages) that they are ignoring what God has written (the Bible).

When Pentecostalism (the first wave of the Spirit) declined in influence, it was rejuvenated by the Charismatic movement (the second wave.) When it was rocked by the Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart scandals and appeared to be on the down grade, along came Wimber and Wagner with the so-called third wave of the Spirit. With their seemingly more evangelical approach (but with the same false teachings of the Pentecostals and charismatics) multitudes are being taken-in who would have had nothing to do with the first two "waves"; even fundamental churches are noticing a sinister pull on their people-Believers, beware!

[by M.H. Reynolds, reprinted from
FOUNDATION magazine, Vol. XII, Issue 1]
Fundamental Evangelistic Association
P. O. Box 6278-Los Osos, California 93412

the                   Glorious Fact of the Resurrection

A correct understanding of the Resurrection is of great importance in a day when so many profess- ing Christians differ as to its meaning and worth. As Bible-believers, we are to contend for the Doctrine of Christ (2 John 9) and to separate from those who do not hold to that doctrine.   The Bodily Resurrection of Christ is an indispensable part of the teaching concerning the Son of God. It is a glorious and essential fact.   No true born- again believer should be indifferent as to what the Bible declares to be the truth.   The Word of God clearly states, "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."   1 Cor- inthians 15:17.   The fact that Jesus is God incar- nate requires the Resurrection.   God cannot be held in death; therefore, "...it was not possible that He [Jesus Christ] should be holden of it [death]."   Acts 2:24. THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST The indisputable fact of the Resurrection can be seen in Christ's own testimony.   Concerning this, Jesus said, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."   Luke 9:22.   Jesus not only knew that He must die a sacrifice for sin, but that He must also be raised again from the grave. THE BIBLE Through its prophetic and direct statements, the Bible reveals the indisputable fact of Christ's Resurrection.   Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, the Psalmist prophesied, "For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One [Jesus Christ] to see cor- ruption."   Psalm 16:10.   This prophecy was liter- ally fulfilled when Christ was raised from the dead.   There is no possibility of error in the inter-

pretation of this prophecy.   Under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Peter quoted this Old Testament prophecy in Acts 2:27, and said of the Psalmist, "He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."   Acts 2:31 and 32. EYEWITNESSES The testimony of many eyewitnesses who saw the resurrected Christ gives us undeniable proof of the Resurrection: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scrip- tures: and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once."   1 Corinthians 15:3- 6.   The Resurrection is the heart of the Gospel message.   The Apostle Peter preached the Resur- rection without apology (Acts 10:38-43).   Paul, also, was unswerving in his proclamation of this glorious truth (read carefully Acts 17:2-4).   These eyewitnesses went out with boldness and joy because they knew that they served a risen Lord. THE EMPTY TOMB Without question, the empty tomb shows that Christ rose BODILY from the grave: "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.   He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.   Come see the place where the Lord lay."   Matthew 28:5 and 6.   This was not merely a "spiritual resurrection" nor was it thievery or trickery; Christ had risen BODILY as He had said. His own words in John 2:18-22 confirm the fact

that He rose BODILY from the grave.   In verse 19, Christ says.   "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."   In verse 21, this temple mentioned by Jesus is clearly "the temple of His BODY."   The disciple remembered this dis- course after He was risen and, therefore, accept- ed as fact Christ's bodily Resurrection (verse 22). The fact of the Resurrection is established by Scripture.   As Bible-believers, we can rest in this blessed truth and contend boldly with any who would attempt to discredit this historical account.   Yet, to the believer, the Resurrection means much more.   Because Jesus Christ rose from the grave, certain blessings and promises are afforded those who have entrusted their souls to the LIVING SAVIOUR. PAYMENT ACCEPTED The Resurrection proves that Christ's sacrificial payment for our sin was accepted by God.   Jesus Christ shed His blood as the payment for our sin: "And He is the propitiation [appeasing sac- rifice] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."   1 John 2:2.   The perfect sacrifice was offered, and any lost sinner is justified, or made right with God, by trusting in that precious blood (1 Peter 1:18 and 19).   In Romans, God's Word states, "Who [Jesus] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."   Romans 4:25.   In essence, we are justified by faith in His shed blood.   Christ was raised because God accepted His death as the perfect and only basis for our justification. LIFE-GIVING POWER The Resurrection shows that Christ has the power to give life to those who believe.   God's

Word says, "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [Jesus Christ] was made a quickening spirit." 1 Corinthians 15:45.   The assertion of this Scrip- ture is that Jesus Christ has the ability to "quick- en" or to "make alive."   In the Gospel of John, the Saviour declares: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them: even so the Son quickeneth whom He will."   John 5:21.   We see, therefore, the resurrected Saviour who has this life-giving power.   Today He imparts life to all who believe.   "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12. VICTORIOUS LIFE The Resurrection also assures us of the power needed to live a victorious Christian life: "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the work- ing of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead...." Ephesians 1:19 and 20.   There will never be any trial too great, any burden too heavy, or any temptation too strong.   The same power that raised up Jesus is available to all who believe.   As we learn to trust Him more and ourselves less, He will be able to display daily His mighty power in our lives. PATTERN FOR THE FUTURE Finally, the Resurrection reveals the pattern of what lies ahead for the believer.   Christ is the firstfruits, that is, the firstborn from the dead.   He was resurrected from the grave and the promise is, then, that we will be raised in like manner. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.   For

since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.   For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.   Because Christ arose, all who are His shall, at His appearing, receive new, resurrection bodies (see Philippians 3:20 and 21).   Whether living or dead, "...we shall all be changed."   1 Corinthians 15:51.   What a blessed future is in store for all who place their trust in the resurrected Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ! The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a glorious fact.   Jesus Christ lives today!   He imparts life to lost souls who believe the Gospel message.   He empowers believers to live victorious Christian lives.   Do YOU know the risen Lord as your per- sonal Saviour?   He died to pay the penalty for your sins.   He arose victorious from the grave!   Trust Him as your Saviour today! "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."   John 3:16. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my Word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."   John 5:24. Fundamental Evangelistic Association P.O. Box 6278, Los Osos, California 93412

The Glorious Security of the Children of God

The true children of God are, according to the Scriptures, ETERNALLY SAFE because: They are born not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible (I Peter 1:23). His sheep shall never perish (John 10:28). Their lives are hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). They are chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). They are already seated in the heavenlies in Christ (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6). They are sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). The Lord knoweth them that are His (II Timothy 2:19). Having begun a good work, He will perform it (Philippians 1:6). They are already living stones in the spiritual building of God of which Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone (I Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:20-22). They are members of the Body of Christ, each with a peculiar function -- without the least member, the Body would not be complete (I Corinthians 12:12-27).

They are kept by the power of God (I Peter 1:5). The inheritance is reserved for them (I Peter 1:4). God's people are a gift to Christ (John 17:6,7). Backsliding is a sin, but the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin (I John 1:7) He is able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25). They are already "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). Nothing can separate them from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39). He loves them "unto the end" (John 13:1). By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10: 10-14). They are never more reckoned in the first man, Adam, but have passed through in the Second Man, Christ (Romans 5:2-19). They cannot be unborn (John 3:6-8).

Christ dwelleth in them (II John 2). He gives His sheep eternal or everlasting life (John 10:28). Whom He foreknows, He also predestinates, calls, justifies and glorifies (Romans 8:28-30). In their flesh dwelleth no good thing; they are saved by grace (undeserved favour), not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). Fundamental Evangelistic Association P.O. Box 6278 Los Osos, California 93412

GOT A MINUTE ?

GOT A MINUTE? WE ALL spend a tremendous amount of       time, effort and money to care for our earthly needs.   However, few seem concerned about their eternal well-being.   Too busy?   We shouldn't be! A long time ago, Jesus asked, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?   Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"   Do you have answers to these vital questions? I sincerely hope you will take a few moments right now to seriously consider what God wants you to know about life now and life hereafter.   It will be time well spent -- perhaps the most cru- cial few minutes of your entire existence. The written Word of God, the Bible, emphati- cally states what we must understand and believe if we are to be brought into a right relationship with our Creator.   It really doesn't matter what our opinions might be, but it makes all the difference in the world what Almighty God has said must be!

UNIVERSAL PROBLEM The first thing the Bible would have us under- stand is our natural standing before God.   We are "by nature the children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3), and "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephe- sians 2:1).   We have proven time and time again that we are sinners by birth and practice.   There are no exceptions!   "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).   We have fallen far short of the divine standard of absolute holiness. We stand before the all-righteous Judge -- GUILTY as charged! Consider the consequences if -- at this very moment -- you should die in this condition.   The Bible removes all uncertainty concerning what lies beyond the grave: "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judg- ment" (Hebrews 9:27).   The outcome of this judgment is also revealed.   Until the sin problem is settled, there is no possible way a guilty sinner can enter the glories of Heaven.   Revelation 21:27 states: "there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever work- eth abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."   No one

can enter that celestial city unless the defile- ment of sin has been erased, and their name written in the "Lamb's book of life."   Heaven is the dwelling place of God, and no one who is yet in their sins can be allowed to enter into His holy presence. The next important question is, "If one dying in his sin cannot enter Heaven, then where will he spend eter- nity?"   Revelation 20:15 answers by stating, "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."   Hell is a place of everlasting and literal torment.   This eternal existence in the lake of fire is "the second death" and is the just penalty for sin -- "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Those who die in their sin face the reality of eter- nal suffering -- the bitter end of sin! WHAT WE CANNOT DO Since God's Word plainly declares that we are all sinners, and as such we are justly barred from Heaven and bound for Hell, this question is of utmost importance -- WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT YOUR SIN? Different answers are given in response to this incredibly vital consideration.   Many feel their sin

can be erased by living a good life, or "turning over a new leaf" and trying to do better.   Others see themselves as "just as good as the next person" and in the final analysis their good will outweigh their bad.   Still others sincerely believe that by joining a church or going through reli- gious ceremonies (baptism, confirmation, con- fession, partaking of the Lord's Supper, etc.,) the burden of sin's guilt and awful penalty can be relieved. But the Word of God is very definite concerning the error of such reasoning, and the utter futility of any self-effort to remedy one's sinful condi- tion.   It is "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5).   Actually, we have no righteousness of our own nor could we do any good work that would help in the slightest way to accomplish our salvation.   The Bible says, "we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses [our good works] are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6).   We can make our lives appear more respectable by honest effort, holy resolve and religious activity, but inwardly the heart is still unchanged.   Sin may be concealed, but it is not washed away.   Good works, religious ceremonies and pious intentions can never can- cel God's declared penalty for our sin.

WHAT GOD HAS DONE What, then, must we do to be saved?   If the Bible plainly teaches that we can do nothing to save ourselves from sin and its penalty (and it does), then how can we be made acceptable before God?   Once again, the answer is found in God's Holy Word and what a wonderful answer it is! "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). Think of that!   When we were without strength, completely unable to do anything to effect our own salvation, Christ died in our place.   God knew we were utterly helpless as Hell-bound sinners, and in accordance with His GRACE, He intervened in our behalf.   He sent His only begot- ten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to shed His precious Blood as the full payment for sin.   In so doing, Jesus Christ died the death due the sinner. Why did He do this?   The answer is found in Romans 5:8: "...God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." As Jesus Christ hung on Calvary's cross, He was not dying for His own sin, for He was the sinless Lamb of God.   He died in our place and bore the penalty for sin that was due us!

"(5)he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastise- ment of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.   (6)All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the ini- quity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6). "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25). The penalty for sin had to be paid, and God the Father placed our sin upon the bruised and bleeding body of His beloved Son. The full weight and penalty for sin -- OUR SIN -- fell upon the crucified Lord of Glory!   He was our sin-bearer, our substitute.   When He cried out from the cross, "It is finished[,]" He had accom- plished just that, a completed and all-sufficient offering for sin -- a PERFECT SALVATION!! A MARVELOUS SOLUTION The Bible is very clear concerning what you must now do in order to make His perfect, complete

salvation your own.   It must be personally appro- priated or it will profit you absolutely nothing! Only the precious Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that was shed on Calvary's cross has the power to cleanse from sin, and it is through FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ that the cleansing power of the Blood is applied. Jesus Christ was God manifested in the flesh.   It was His sacrificial death on the cross that pro- vides salvation for any lost sinner who will trust in Him as the ONLY Saviour from sin and the ONLY way to Heaven.   When we believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died, was buried and was raised again bodily from the tomb, and that all this was done to provide a perfect salvation for sinful man, then we receive full forgiveness of sins and the gift of everlasting life. Please take note of these promises from God's Word which describe the present and future standing of one who trusts Christ as Saviour: "To him [Jesus Christ] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission [for- giveness] of sins" (Acts 10:43).   This is how the sin problem is resolved.   When Christ is believed

on, sin is forgiven and the cleansed sinner is made acceptable before a holy God! "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into con- demnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). "(1)Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2)By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" (Romans 5:1-2). "(8)For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). "(16)For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.   (17)For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).

AN IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITY Yes, my friend, the moment you believe (and believing is nothing more nor less than taking God at His Word), you receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life!   Then you stand before God complete and perfect IN CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS and not in your own self- righteousness which is but "filthy rags" in His sight.   When you receive Christ by faith, you are "made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Co- rinthians 5:21). Do not be deceived by the popular belief that no one can be absolutely sure of salvation now. God says we CAN KNOW.   This is because salva- tion is based upon the sure promises of God's Word and upon the finished work of Christ on the cross. The believer is told in 1 John 5:11-13 that he can KNOW for certain that he is passed from death unto life and that his sins have been forever forgiven: "(11)And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.   (12)He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.   (13)These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

"...he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). "...I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:28). Would you like to receive Jesus Christ as YOUR personal Saviour right now?   Then trust Him, and Him alone.   Trust Him not only with your head, but with your whole heart as well: "(9)That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.   (10)For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9- 10).   Believe what God's Word says concerning: your NEED of the Saviour, your total INABILITY to do anything to save yourself, and God's full and eternal PROVISION for your salvation through the death, burial and the resurrection of His dear Son.   Turn away from those things through which you had hope to attain salvation: "doing good," baptism, church membership, morality, religion, etc., or even the false notion that "death ends it all." If you will turn to God -- forsaking your old ways -- and in simple, child-like faith believe what the Bible says concerning these imperative truths, you will have, at this very moment, everlasting life! Claim the blessed promises of the Word of God as your own.   Then rely upon the Author of those

promises to keep them both now and for all eterni- ty.   He will never fail to honour His Word. Got a minute?   God says, "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salva- tion."   Do not delay!   Tomorrow may be too late! "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.   And let him that heareth say, Come.   And let him that is athirst come.   And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17). Trust Jesus Christ NOW! -- Dennis W. Costella F. E. A.

GREAT IS THE MYSTERY Great, indeed, is the mystery of godliness. God became "flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:1,14), thereby opening the way for sinful man to be reconciled to an all- holy God.   The birth of Jesus Christ may provide only sentimental imagery and religious ceremony for multitudes, but for the one who has trusted Christ as Saviour, the incarnation of the Lord of Glory takes on immeasurable meaning.   The commer- cialism and pagan folklore which charac- terize the Christmas season must never deter the child of God from being thankful for and boldly proclaiming the significance of Christ's coming to a lost and dying world. 1 Timothy 3:16 succinctly states the true message to be heralded far and wide:

"God Was Manifest in the Flesh" The Person of Christ is of central importance. He is no less than absolute deity since taking on the form of flesh through the virgin Birth than before. Only the sinless Son of God could offer Himself as the perfect, sacrificial substitute to bear the eternal judgment due the sinner.   The Son of God came to die so that we, through faith in the power of His shed blood, might live! "Justified in the Spirit" All that Christ did in His earthly ministry was performed by the power of the Holy Spirit.   The Spirit was given unto Him without limit (John 3:34).   Every action, miracle, word, desire and thought were in perfect agreement with His Father's will.   Subsequent generations of believ- ers would learn by His example the importance of the indwelling Spirit's ministry. "Seen of Angels" The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ was a won- derful and marvellous event to the angels.   Their Creator was coming to dwell among them.   The joyous exaltation of the angelic host at His birth

and their deep interest in all things pertaining to His earthly ministry reveal an attitude we would do well to emulate (Luke 2:7-14).   All glory and praise are due the Son! "Preached Unto the Gentiles" Much of the Scripture dealing with the first advent of Christ has to do with promises made to Israel that will be fulfilled when He returns to set up His millennial kingdom.   But we thank God for the glorious Gospel of salvation by grace through faith offered to Jew and Gentile alike NOW!   Because Jesus Christ came, "who- soever will" may come and partake of the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17). "Believed on in the World" This is a crucial point of the message.   Not all who "celebrate Christmas" are at peace with God.   Only those who have received by faith the Biblical testimony of Christ's eternal Person and His perfect and finished Work on Calvary's cross, and have believed on Him for their salva- tion, can rightfully call God their Heavenly Father and claim the promise of everlasting life.

"Received Up into Glory" The bodily resurrection and ascension of the Lord into Heaven was a public acknowledg- ment of the Father's acceptance of the work Christ had wrought on behalf of sinful man. And not only does this speak of a living Saviour, it also reminds us of our Lord's present, High Priestly ministry at the right hand of the Father where "he ever liveth to make intercession" for the child of God (Hebrews 7:25). Those who know Christ as Saviour and Lord gladly rejoice in so great a salvation!   Not saved? Trust Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour before it's too late; [repent &] receive Him now, and YOU will have eternal salvation!   John 1:12; 3:16,36; 5:24; 6:37. -- "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12). "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."   (John 3:16) "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."   (John 3:36) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."   (John 5:24) "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."   (John 6:37) F. E. A.

HE  CAN "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"                            -- Ephesians 3:20.

In looking to God for deliverance of any kind, we are prone to try to discover what material He has on hand to work on in coming to our relief.   If we are praying for financial help, we are apt to look over the community to see if we can think of anyone whom the Lord might influence to lend us some money.   If there are no apparent probabilities in that direction we find it difficult to believe for hard cash. If it is employment we need in order to insure the continuance of bread and butter, we make diligent inquiries in the industrial centers.   And if we find that the shops, stores, and factories are more than full handed, it is pretty hard work to be hopeful that we are going to get work. If we are ill and our physician is at a loss to know what next to try in order to alleviate us, it is not at all easy to convince ourselves that we are going speedily to recover. It is so human to look and crave for something in sight that will help the Lord out.   In time of need if we can only find a little something for God to begin on, we seem so much better

satisfied.   To need a sum of money and not be able to think of a friend, a man, or a monied institution from which it might be obtained, gives a dark background to the scene. To need work and to find that throngs of others as needy as yourself are also idle, makes the human outlook very dark.   To be in bed day after day, feeling no better, but rather worse, doctor's bill increasing, business suffering, and patience giving out, makes a situation in which relief does not seem very probable.   The trouble is, there does not appear to be a single human prospect to begin on.   The outlook is all liabilities, with no resources to help out. Now, to God's child what is the real situation? Is there nothing but liabilities?   Much every way.   Are there no resources?   Yea, thousands, millions, billions, trillions!   Where are they? Above you, below you, around you.   Earth and air are full of wealth untold.   Can't you see it?   You don't need to see it.   Keep your eye on Him. Just think a moment.   It is not at all necessary for you to see any help in sight, nor is it really

necessary for God to have any relief on hand. He does not need anything to begin on.   In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.   What did He make them out of?   Noth- ing!   Pretty satisfactory earth to be made out of nothing, isn't it?   Remember, not a scrap of anything was used to make it.   "He...hangeth the earth upon nothing."   Job 26:7. It hangs alright, doesn't it?   Very well, then. The God Who can make an earth, a sun, a moon and stars out of nothing, and keep them hanging on nothing, can supply all your needs, whether He has anything to begin to work with or not.   Wonderful!   Isn't it? Trust Him and He will see you through, though He has to make your supply out of nothing. F. E. A.

How To Live THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

BELIEVE BELIEVE the record of the Bible that through Christ, you have received eternal life (I John 5:10-13). Then, by faith, walk in newness of life (II Corinthians 5:17).   Remember that you are now a living testimony of the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ and that the new, resurrection life of Christ is being manifested in you forever, the believer. -- "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."   (II Corinthians 5:17) READ READ and study your Bible, memorizing portions that are helpful and blessed to you. Give special attention to the promises of God. Meditate on these and they will be food for your soul (I Peter 2:2).   Remember that the Word of God is the light to your pathway (Psalm 119:105) and the weapon of your warfare (Ephesians 6:17). -- "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (I Peter 2:2). "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."   (Psalms 119:105) "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" (Ephesians 6:17). PRAY PRAY daily to God, your heavenly Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.   Thank Him for all things (Ephesians 5:20).   Praise God for His blessings (Philippians 4:6).   Ask God to give you victory over sin and weakness (I John 1:9).   Pray for the needs of others when praying for your own needs.   Remember that your prayer life will keep you spiritually strong and growing. -- "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (Ephesians 5:20). "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."   (Philippians 4:6) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."   (I John 1:9)

CONFESS CONFESS the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour as often as you can.   Do this especially when your silence would mean denying Him (Matthew 10:32-33).   Use every opportunity you have to tell others of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done in your life. AVOID AVOID temptations.   The Bible tells us that they will come.   But we must be careful not to walk in their path (Psalm 1:1).   When temp- tations arise, remember that God has promised a way of escape for those who faithfully serve and obey Him (I Corinthians 10:13). -- "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."   (Psalms 1:1) "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."   (I Corinthians 10:13) WITNESS WITNESS to others about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8).   Many today do not know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.   Who will tell them? (Romans 10:13-14).   The believer's greatest joy is the privilege of telling the good news of the gospel to every creature.   Witnessing for Christ is not only a blessed privilege but a Divine command (Matthew 4:19). -- "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."   (Acts 1:8) "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."   (Matthew 4:19)

SERVE SERVE the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2). God has a regular ministry for every believer (I Corinthians 12:12-21).   Assemble regularly in a Bible-believing, separated church (Hebrews 10:25).   Invest your time, talents and money for eternity (Colossians 3:1-3). -- "Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing."   (Psalms 100:2) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."   (Hebrews 10:25) STAND STAND firmly on the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).   Beware of false teachers and false doctrines (II Peter 2:1-3).   Test everything by the Word of God, not by experience (Isaiah 8:20).   Remember that God has promised the victory to those who honour Him and His Holy Word (I Corinthians 15:58). -- "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."   (Isaiah 8:20) "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."   (I Corinthians 15:58) F. E. A.

Is It Right to Judge? by Franklin G. Huling, M. A. THIS QUESTION, "Is it right to judge?", is one that puzzles many sincere Christians.   A careful and open-minded study of the Bible makes it clear that concerning cer- tain vital matters, it is not only right but a positive duty to judge.   Many do not know that the Scripture commands us to judge.    The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, "judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). He told a man, "Thou hast rightly judged" (Luke 7:43).   To others, our Lord asked, "why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" (Luke 12:57).    The Apostle Paul wrote, "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say" (1 Corinthians 10:15).   Again, Paul declared, "He that is spiritual judgeth all things" (1 Corinthians 2:15).   It is our positive duty to judge. False Teachers and False Teaching    "Beware of false prophets[!]" (Matthew 7:15) is the warning and command of our Lord.   But how could we "beware" and how could we know they are "false prophets" if we did not judge?   And what is the God- given standard by which we are to judge? "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."   (Isaiah 8:20).   "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16), Christ said.   And in judg- ing the "fruits," we must judge by God's Word, not by what appeals to human

reasoning.   Many things seem good to human judgment which are false to the Word of God.    The Apostle Paul admonished be- lievers, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.   For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17-18).   This apostolic command could not be obeyed were it not right to judge.   God wants us to know His Word and then test all teachers and teaching by it.   Notice also that it is the false teachers who make the "divisions," and not those who protest against their false teaching.   And these deceivers are not serving Christ, as they profess, "but their own belly," or their own "bread and butter," as we would put it.   We are to "mark them" and "avoid them."    "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord" (2 Corinthians 6:17, read verses 14-18). "From such turn away."   (2 Timothy 3:5). "Withdraw yourselves" (2 Thessalonians 3:6).   "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11).   "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" (Romans 12:9).   "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).   It would be impos- sible to obey these injunctions of God's

Word unless it were right to judge!   And remember, nothing is "good" in God's sight that is not true to His Word.    The Apostle John wrote, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test, judge] the spirits whether they are of God: be- cause many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).   Again he wrote, "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh....   If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 7, 10-11).   This Scrip- ture commands us to judge between those who do, and those who do not bring the true doctrine of Christ.    Whenever a child of God contributes to a denominational budget that supports Modernist (liberal, compromising) mis- sionaries or teachers, he is guilty before God, according to this Scripture, of bid- ding them, "God speed" in the most ef- fective way possible.   And he thereby be- comes a "partaker" with them of their "evil deeds" of spreading soul damning poison.   How terrible, but how true!   Arouse yourself, child of God.   If you are guilty, ask God to forgive you and help you never again to be guilty of the blood of souls for whom Christ died.   When we are willing to suffer for Christ, we can readily see the truth of God's Word on this tremendously important matter.   "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12). Misunderstood and Misused Scripture    One of the best known and most misunderstood and misapplied Scriptures is "Judge not" (Matthew 7:1).   Let us ex- amine the entire passage:    "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.   And why beholdest thou the mote

that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?   Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?   Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye" (Matthew 7:1-5).    Read this again carefully.   Notice that it is addressed to a hypocrite!--not to those who sincerely want to discern whether a teacher or teaching is true or false to God's Word.   And instead of being a prohibition against honest judgment, it is a solemn warning against hypocritical judgment.   In fact, the last statement of this Scripture commands sincere judg- ment--"Then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."   If we take a verse or a part of a verse out of its setting, we can make the Word of God appear to teach the very opposite of what it really does teach.   And those who do this cannot escape the judgment of God for twisting His Word (2 Peter 3:16). Let this be a warning to us never again to take a text of Scripture out of its context.    Many who piously quote, "Judge not," out of its context, in order to defend that which is false to God's Word, do not see their own inconsistency in thus judging those who would obey God's Word about judging that which is untrue to the Bible. It is tragic that so much that is anti- Scriptural has found undeserved shelter behind a misuse of the Scripture just quoted.   The reason the professed church of Christ is today honeycombed and para- lyzed by satanic Modernism is because Christians have not obeyed the commands of God's Word to judge and put away and separate from false teachers and false teaching when they first appeared in their midst.   Physical health is maintained by separation from disease germs.   Spiritual health is maintained by separation from germs of false doctrine.   The greatest peril of our day is not too much judging, but

too little judging of spiritual falsehood. God wants His children to be like the noble Bereans who "searched the Scrip- tures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).    Romans 2:1-3 is also addressed to the religious hypocrite who condemned him- self because he was guilty of the same things for which he condemned others. James 4:11-12 refers to an evil spirit of backbiting and fault finding, not to judg- ing whether teachers or teachings agree or disagree with God's Word.   The Bible never contradicts itself.   To understand one portion of Scripture we must view it in the light of all Scripture.   "No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private [isolated] interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20).   "Compar- ing spiritual things [words] with spiri- tual" (1 Corinthians 2:13).    The "Wheat and Tares" parable of Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, is much mis- understood.   First of all, our Lord is talk- ing about the world, not His Church-- "The field is the world[.]"   He goes on to say that "the good seed are the children of the Kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one" (Matthew 13:38).   They are the two groups in the world; children of God--those who have received Christ (John 1:12), and the children of the devil-- those who reject Christ (John 8:44).   When any of the "children of the wicked one" get into the professed church of Christ, as they have always done, a definite proce- dure for God's children is set forth in His Word.   First, it is their duty to tell them that they have "neither part nor lot" in Christ (see Acts 8:21-23 and context).   If the children of the devil do not leave voluntarily, as is generally the case, God's children are commanded to "Purge out" (1 Corinthians 5:7) these unbelievers.   But God's people have disobeyed His Word about this, and so unbelievers [and dis- obedient brethren--2 Thessalonians 3:6,14-15] have gotten into control, as is now the case in most denominations. Therefore, those who purpose to be true

to Christ and His Word are commanded to "come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord" (2 Corinthians 6:17), regardless of property or any other considerations.   When we obey God's Word, we can trust Him to take care of all the consequences of our obedience. Other Matters to be Judged    The immoral conduct of professed believers in Christ is to be judged.   1 Corinthians, Chapter 5, tells a sad story and closes with the Apostolic injunction, "Therefore put away from among your- selves that wicked person" (1 Corinthians 5:13).    Disputes between Christians con- cerning "things that pertain to this life," (1 Corinthians 6:3) should be judged by a tribunal of fellow Christians instead of going before unbelievers in the civil courts. The whole sixth chapter of 1 Corinthians makes clear God's plan for His people in this regard.   And some startling truths are here revealed: First, "the saints shall judge the world[.]"   Second, "we shall judge an- gels" (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).   Beloved, are we letting God prepare us for this high place?    We ought to judge ourselves.   "Ex- amine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5).   "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.   But when we are judged, we are chastened [child trained] of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world" (1 Corinthians 11:31-32).   What a change and what a blessing it would be if we would judge our own faults as uncharitably as we do the faults of others--and if we would judge the failings of others as charitably as we do our own!   And Chris- tians could save themselves much chas- tening of the Lord if they would judge and confess and cease their disobedience to God.   And, oh, how much dishonor and lack of fruit would our blessed Lord be spared!

Limitations of Human Judgment    Not scruples or conscience concern- ing matters of which the Bible does not directly speak.   God forbids our judging our brethren concerning the eating of certain kinds of food, keeping of days, etc. Romans, Chapter 14, 1 Corinthians 10:23- 33, and Colossians 2:16-17 cover this sub- ject.    Not motives.   See 1 Corinthians 4:1- 5.   Only God can see into the heart and know the motives that underlie actions.    Not as to whom are saved.   "The Lord knoweth them that are His" (2 Timothy 2:19).   We cannot look into anyone's heart and say whether or not they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, if they profess that they have. But we had better test ourselves accord- ing to 2 Corinthians 5:17: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."   If this change has not taken place, our profession is vain. Two Elements in Judgment    The New Testament Greek word that is most often translated "judge" or "judg- ment" is "krino."   On the one hand, it means to distinguish, to decide, to determine, to conclude, to try, to think and to call in question.   That is what God wants His children to do as to whether preachers, teachers and their teachings are true or false to His Word.   The Apostle Paul writes: "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent" (Philippians 1:9- 10).   A wrong idea of love and lack of knowledge and judgment causes God's people often to approve things that are anything but excellent in God's sight.   The epistle to the Hebrews tells us that ma- ture believers, that is, those who are of "full age," are "...those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (see Heb. 5:11-14).

On the other hand, the Greek word "krino"--judge or judgment--means to condemn, to sentence and to punish.   This is God's prerogative for He has said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). Guard Against a Wrong Attitude    Christians should watch against the tendency of the flesh to assume a critical and censorious attitude toward those who do not share our opinions about other matters than those which have to do with Bible doctrine and moral conduct.   Rather than "pick to pieces" our brethren in Christ, it is our privilege and duty to do everything we can to encourage their spiritual edification.   We ought to love and pray for one another and consider our- selves lest we be tempted.   Galatians 6:1. A Final Word    If you are saved, my reader, let us not forget that "We must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10).   It will be well with those who are studying God's Word, walking in the light of it, living for Christ and the salvation of souls.   It will go ill with those who have accepted Christ but who are living for the things of this world.   If you are a mere professor of Christ, or profess nothing, my friend, may I lovingly remind you "That judgment must begin at the House of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel?" (1 Peter 4:17).    Delay not another moment.   Ask God for Christ's sake to forgive your sins.   Sur- render your heart and will to the loving Saviour who died for you and rose again. Make Him the Lord of your life.   Happy and blessed will you be, now and forever. [Reprints of "Is It Right to Judge?" in leaflet form are available from: F.E.A., Box 6278, Los Osos, CA]

Modern
Bible Versions
Are Dangerous

WATCH OUT FOR THEM!

The Bible is the most wonderful and precious
book in the world. In these days of rapid change
and crumbling foundations, what a blessing it is
to be reminded that our Lord Jesus Christ said,
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my
words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35.
What a comfort and encouragement comes
when we read in Psalm 119:89: "For ever, O
Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." How
thankful we are that "the foundation of God
standeth sure." II Timothy 2:19.

We must also be aware that the Bible is under attack. Satan, who succeeded in selling the first "revised" edition of God's Word to Eve in the Garden of Eden, has surely been busy in this 20th Century along the same lines. We know about the "population explosion" and the "explosion of scientific knowledge," but we are also in the middle of a "Bible translation explosion"-a veritable flood of new Bible translations, versions, revisions and paraphrases, all claiming to be the "most accurate," the "most readable" and the "most up-to-date." The publishing and sale of these new Bibles has become a highly profitable business, employing all the psychological approaches of modern advertising to sell them to the public. Some think this proliferation of Bible versions is wonderful. But serious-minded, thoughtful people must eventually ask, 'Which Bible is the real Bible, the true Word of God?"

In 2 Corinthians 2:17, the Spirit of God warned against the "many which corrupt the word of God " Therefore, it is not surprising in studying Church History to discover that such attempts to corrupt the Word of God were clearly evident in the altered, polluted and revised manuscripts purporting to be the Word of God. Unfortunately, many people today fail to see that even greater corruptions of the Word of God are taking place before our eyes. The purpose of this leaflet is to share with God's people, simply and briefly, some of the important information we have found in studying this important subject.

It is impossible in such limited space to trace the history and preservation of the true Word of God down through the centuries. However, in the providence of God, two very important things happened in the 15th and 16th centuries for which we should all be eternally grateful. First, was the invention of the printing press and second, the Protestant Reformation. It was the combination of these two developments that made possible the translation and publication of the Authorized King lames Version of the Bible in 1611. From then until now, this wonderful gift of God and its subsequent translation into every known major language in the world has changed the course of history and we enjoy its benefits today.

In the latter part of the 19th Century, Satan and his angels of light set out to destroy the Church by undermining its foundation, the Bible. Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species was blindly accepted as "new light on an old problem" by the scholarship of that day which had become largely obsessed with rationalism and humanism. Theories and methods of "higher criticism" and "textual criticism" were developed and couched in such scholarly language that most people failed to recognize that these were actually attacks upon the Word of God-even though carefully disguised as an effort to "supply the English reader with a more correct text of the New Testament" and to "render the New Testament more generally intelligible." The rush toward new versions was on and though the early progress was slow, we are seeing the results today.

In order to properly comprehend the problem of modern Bible translations, it is important to remember these two important factors: first the reliability of the document being translated; second, the knowledge, skill and fidelity of the translators. On both counts, the King James Bible still stands supreme. In 1881, influenced by and sympathetic to the Darwinian theory of evolution, two men, Brooke Foss Westcott and Fenton J. A. Hort brought forth a very different version of the Greek New Testament- one which differed from the Textus Receptus (the underlying Greek text of the KJV) in over 5,700 places.

This Westcott-Hort Greek Text was later to become the basis for the English Revised Version and the American Standard Version. It gave great weight to two corrupted manuscripts-the Vaticanus (Codex B) which was found in the Vatican Library in 1481 and was known to the KJV translators but was not used by them, and the Sinaiticus (Codex Aleph) which was found in a monastery wastebasket at the foot of Mt. Sinai in 1844. The Vaticanus and Sinaiticus appear to have been copied from the same source in the 4th Century and held great weight with Westcott and Hort because of their antiquity. Tischendorf, the discoverer of the Sinaiticus manuscript, noted at least 12,000 changes which had been made on this manuscript by others than the original copyist. It is difficult to understand why such documents as these could lead one to ignore the simple fact that the Greek text underlying the King James Version (the Textus Receptus) was in basic agreement with 90-95% of all known Scripture- related manuscripts, numbering over five thousand.

English Revised Version (1885)
American Standard Version (1901)

The first full-scale frontal attack on the Word of God came with the publication of the ERV in 1885, and its counterpart, the ASV in 1901. Only a few voices of protest were raised. Most staunch defenders of the faith of that day were apparently unaware that the ASV differed from the KJV in over 36,000 places or that the Greek text underlying the translation of the ASV (the Westcott-Hort Text) differed from the Textus Receptus (underlying the KJV) in over 5,700 instances. Possibly it was because the Fundamentalists then were too busy combating the modernists' infiltration of seminaries and churches; or, perhaps it was due to the fact that the ASV never really found great acceptance publicly. It was not until the publication of the Revised Standard Version in 1946 and 1952 that many Fundamentalists became aware of how effectively a new Bible version or translation could be used as a tool of Satan.

Revised Standard Version (1946, 1952)

Some of God's people woke up with a start when the Revised Standard Version was published in 1952. This version, supposedly a revision of the ASV of 1901, eliminated the word virgin in the prophecy of Christ's birth in Isaiah 7:14; made numerous other blatant changes; and was copyrighted by the apostate National Council of Churches. Protests were heard far and wide! Sadly, many failed to recognize that some of the things they found so objectionable in the RSV were also true of the ASV. The furor over the RSV gradually died down. But this was the version which plowed the ground and paved the way for future perversions of the Scriptures. It had conditioned people to accept changes in the Bible- changes dictated by modern scholarship . At least the RSV left the word virgin in the New Testament references to the birth of Christ. It remained for the Good News Bible to remove it in both the Old and New Testaments.

Good News For Modern Man (1966)
Good News Bible (1976)

When the first edition of Good News For Modern Man (The New Testament in Today's English) was published in 1966, the word virgin appeared in all the texts in Matthew and Luke referring to the birth of Christ. But, when the 2nd and 3rd editions were published and then the entire Good News Bible was published in 1976, the word virgin had mysteriously disappeared from Luke 1:27 while remaining in Luke 1:34 and Matthew 1:23.0f course, the latter two verses have no meaning at all if the word virgin is removed or replaced. Also, the blood of Christ, a most important and precious word and theme, was lacking in many key New Testament references. It was replaced by "death" or "costly sacrifice," both good words in their own place but not what the Holy Spirit gave in the original text. The heretical views of the main translator, Dr. Robert Bratcher, help to explain the many places in which the Deity of Christ is played down or omitted. The Good News Bible is one of the worst versions, yet it has been distributed by the millions, largely due to endorsements by Billy Graham, Bill Bright and other evangelical leaders.

The Living Bible (1967, 1971)

This is neither a translation nor a version-it is a paraphrase. The Living Bible, praised by Billy Graham and other new-evangelical leaders, has reached a publication figure of 37 million copies and has made its author, Ken Taylor, a wealthy man. It is very readable, but at the expense of truth in so many places. Taylor admits that the principle he worked from was not a "word-for-word" translation but rather a "thought-for-thought" paraphrase which he called, "dynamic equivalence." Taylor said he worked for the most part from the ASV of 1901, a corrupt translation to begin with. The Living Bible decimates the Scriptures, almost completely eliminating important and precious words and truths as grace (see John 1:17; Acts 4:33, 15:11, 20:24; Romans 3:24; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Jude 4) and repentance (see Matthew 9:13 and Acts 17:30). "Honor" is substituted for "begotten" in Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5. Significant changes are made regarding such matters as creation in Genesis 1:1-2 and a prophecy of Christ in Zechariah 13:6. The meaning of Romans 8:28 is changed completely. Vulgar language is used in John 9:34, 11:39 and 2 Kings 18:27. The language of 1 Samuel 20:30 in early editions of TLB shocked many but it has now been softened. The author has left the door open for further suggestions, corrections and clarifications. Who knows what future editions may contain? Do you want a Bible that is being constantly revised?

New American Standard Version (1960, 1971)

The NASV was to be the Bible for conservatives, evangelicals and fundamentalists. The Foreword states that the NASV "has been produced with the conviction that the words of Scripture as originally penned in the Hebrew and Greek were inspired of God." The basic problem with this translation, however, is revealed in this statement: "This translation follows the principles used in the American Standard Version 1901 known as the Rock of Biblical Honesty." Who gave the ASV such a title? In the Principles of Revision, it is stated: "In revising the ASV consideration was given to the latest available manuscripts with a view to determining the best Greek text. In most instances the 23rd edition of the Nestle Greek New Testament was followed." This gets right to the heart of the major difficulty of all modern Bible versions-most are patterned after the corrupted Westcott-Hort Greek Text instead of the Textus Receptus. The word virgin does appear in Isaiah 7:14, but a footnote says, "or, young woman"- no doubt a sop to the liberals. Verses like Matthew 18:11 and Matthew 23:14 appear in brackets with a footnote saying, "most ancient manuscripts omit this verse" or, "this verse is not found in earliest manuscripts." A corrupted Greek text thus becomes the basis for raising questions about the entire verse In other instances as in Luke 24:40, the number of the verse appears followed by "see marginal note" which explains that "some ancient Mss. add verse 40." One wonders if the NASV translators were determined to list everything anyone ever added or left out of a manuscript until one discovers that some parts of verses are left out with no explanation whatsoever as in Colossians 1:14 and 1 Timothy 6:5. It is sad to see so many conservatives pushing this version and downgrading the KJV.

New International Version ( 1973, 1978)

Like the NASV, the NIV was produced by those who are said to "hold a high view of Scripture." Sponsored by the New York Bible Society, they admitted the NIV translators represent a "broad spectrum in evangelical Christianity" and the list of names confirms the broadness of the spectrum. Instead of being a revision of a previous version, the Preface says, "It is a completely new translation made by many scholars working directly from the Greek." The Greek text used is an "eclectic one." Translated into common language, that means they made a choice of different texts supposedly in "accord with sound principles of textual criticism." However, they did not state what those principles were-and much of the previous undermining of the Scripture has been done on the supposed basis of "sound principles of textual criticism." Examining the text, you find that the NIV leaves out many of the same verses and portions that the ASV and the NASV also omit. An added problem, however, stems from the fact that where an entire verse is omitted, ever the verse number is missing and only a small letter refers to a footnote of explanation. A careful study of this version confirms what one Christian leader said several years ago, "For every verse or word clarified in these new translations, two new problems are created." We agree with his statement. In a critique of the New International Version, one Fundamentalist scholar correctly objected that "words were dropped out; words were added; and key words were sometimes changed." Yet, the same objection must also be raised concerning the New American Standard Version which this same Fundamentalist scholar defends and recommends. This objection-the deletion or addition of words-also applies to all the other modern versions. We still insist on using and recommending only the Authorized Version.

New King James Version (1979,1982)

The NKJV is now deceiving more believers than any of the previous polluted modern Bible versions. Claims that the NKJV has "preserved the authority and accuracy," and "improved the purity and beauty" of the original KJV, are impressive but patently false. The NKJV text is actually a hybrid mixture which incorporates many word changes identical with or similar to the corruptions found in the other modern Bible versions. Late editions of the NKJV contain changes in text and footnote from that of the first editions and further changes are contemplated. The NKJV is not the pure Word of God. [Write us for a free copy of "The New King James Bible Examined"]

New Revised Standard Version ( l990)

The NRSV is the latest product of ecumenical scholarship and will soon replace the RSV, thus helping to fill the financial coffers of the apostate National Council of Churches which holds the copyrights on both the RSV and NRSV. Translated by liberal Protestant, Catholic and Jewish scholars, and eliminating so-called sexist language, the NRSV with the Apocrypha, has already received the Imprimatur of the Roman Catholic Church and may well become the ecumenical Bible of the future.

The more we have studied and researched this question of Bible versions, the more convinced we are that many of our dear brethren in the ministry and many Fundamentalist leaders have not taken time to look at the abundant evidence now available that clearly demonstrates the inaccuracies, inconsistencies and confusion resulting from new translations. It is clear that many scholars who consider themselves to be evangelical have been influenced by the apostate scholarship of the past and present. We recognize the difference between "higher criticism" (which would be rejected by most Fundamentalists) and "textual criticism" (which is accepted by most Fundamentalists). But many do not see how the whole field of "textual criticism" has been shaped and molded by the false premises and conclusions of "higher criticism." The central issue goes back to the acceptance of the Westcott-Hort Text instead of the Textus Receptus as the basis for Bible translations, versions and revisions.

While recognizing the extreme difficulties involved in translations of any kind and especially of a book as important as the Bible, we are convinced that God gave us the King James Bible-and that it will be far better for us to expand our vocabulary in order to understand its terminology than to continually re-write the Bible to suit those who will not be able to understand it anyway apart from the New Birth, or Christians who are too lazy to study. It is true that some English words have changed in their meaning and others are no longer in common usage. Such words are comparatively few and can easily be comprehended with the use of a good dictionary; but if the word is missing altogether, what then?

Untold confusion is caused by the promotion and use of so many different Bible versions. Why don't more pastors and Christian leaders see this? Congregational reading is becoming virtually impossible. Bible memorization is most difficult. And just think of the uncertainty which results when some verses are in the Bible, some are in with brackets around them, and some are missing completely. And many, whether in the text or in the footnotes, have their validity challenged.

For all of these reasons and many more, we conclude that modern Bible versions are dangerous and that God's people should beware of them. We close with a plea to all who love the Lord and His Word-look into this important question quickly and carefully. Then join us in seeking to alert and warn others concerning these subtle and devastating attacks being made upon God's Holy Word.

-M. H. REYNOLDS, EDITOR, FOUNDATION MAGAZINE

Fundamental Evangelistic Association
P. O. Box 6278-Los Osos, California 93412

This tract is available from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association for $0.07 each or $7.00 per 100 plus postage/shipping

Contact Kelly Condron at kcondron@slonet.org  if you have any questions or comments. Please let me know if there is any way I can help.

Last Revision To This Page Was January 6, 1996

Bible Believers Resource PageModern
Bible Versions
Are Dangerous

WATCH OUT FOR THEM!

The Bible is the most wonderful and precious
book in the world. In these days of rapid change
and crumbling foundations, what a blessing it is
to be reminded that our Lord Jesus Christ said,
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my
words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35.
What a comfort and encouragement comes
when we read in Psalm 119:89: "For ever, O
Lord, thy word is settled in heaven." How
thankful we are that "the foundation of God
standeth sure." II Timothy 2:19.

We must also be aware that the Bible is under attack. Satan, who succeeded in selling the first "revised" edition of God's Word to Eve in the Garden of Eden, has surely been busy in this 20th Century along the same lines. We know about the "population explosion" and the "explosion of scientific knowledge," but we are also in the middle of a "Bible translation explosion"-a veritable flood of new Bible translations, versions, revisions and paraphrases, all claiming to be the "most accurate," the "most readable" and the "most up-to-date." The publishing and sale of these new Bibles has become a highly profitable business, employing all the psychological approaches of modern advertising to sell them to the public. Some think this proliferation of Bible versions is wonderful. But serious-minded, thoughtful people must eventually ask, 'Which Bible is the real Bible, the true Word of God?"

In 2 Corinthians 2:17, the Spirit of God warned against the "many which corrupt the word of God " Therefore, it is not surprising in studying Church History to discover that such attempts to corrupt the Word of God were clearly evident in the altered, polluted and revised manuscripts purporting to be the Word of God. Unfortunately, many people today fail to see that even greater corruptions of the Word of God are taking place before our eyes. The purpose of this leaflet is to share with God's people, simply and briefly, some of the important information we have found in studying this important subject.

It is impossible in such limited space to trace the history and preservation of the true Word of God down through the centuries. However, in the providence of God, two very important things happened in the 15th and 16th centuries for which we should all be eternally grateful. First, was the invention of the printing press and second, the Protestant Reformation. It was the combination of these two developments that made possible the translation and publication of the Authorized King lames Version of the Bible in 1611. From then until now, this wonderful gift of God and its subsequent translation into every known major language in the world has changed the course of history and we enjoy its benefits today.

In the latter part of the 19th Century, Satan and his angels of light set out to destroy the Church by undermining its foundation, the Bible. Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species was blindly accepted as "new light on an old problem" by the scholarship of that day which had become largely obsessed with rationalism and humanism. Theories and methods of "higher criticism" and "textual criticism" were developed and couched in such scholarly language that most people failed to recognize that these were actually attacks upon the Word of God-even though carefully disguised as an effort to "supply the English reader with a more correct text of the New Testament" and to "render the New Testament more generally intelligible." The rush toward new versions was on and though the early progress was slow, we are seeing the results today.

In order to properly comprehend the problem of modern Bible translations, it is important to remember these two important factors: first the reliability of the document being translated; second, the knowledge, skill and fidelity of the translators. On both counts, the King James Bible still stands supreme. In 1881, influenced by and sympathetic to the Darwinian theory of evolution, two men, Brooke Foss Westcott and Fenton J. A. Hort brought forth a very different version of the Greek New Testament- one which differed from the Textus Receptus (the underlying Greek text of the KJV) in over 5,700 places.

This Westcott-Hort Greek Text was later to become the basis for the English Revised Version and the American Standard Version. It gave great weight to two corrupted manuscripts-the Vaticanus (Codex B) which was found in the Vatican Library in 1481 and was known to the KJV translators but was not used by them, and the Sinaiticus (Codex Aleph) which was found in a monastery wastebasket at the foot of Mt. Sinai in 1844. The Vaticanus and Sinaiticus appear to have been copied from the same source in the 4th Century and held great weight with Westcott and Hort because of their antiquity. Tischendorf, the discoverer of the Sinaiticus manuscript, noted at least 12,000 changes which had been made on this manuscript by others than the original copyist. It is difficult to understand why such documents as these could lead one to ignore the simple fact that the Greek text underlying the King James Version (the Textus Receptus) was in basic agreement with 90-95% of all known Scripture- related manuscripts, numbering over five thousand.

English Revised Version (1885)
American Standard Version (1901)

The first full-scale frontal attack on the Word of God came with the publication of the ERV in 1885, and its counterpart, the ASV in 1901. Only a few voices of protest were raised. Most staunch defenders of the faith of that day were apparently unaware that the ASV differed from the KJV in over 36,000 places or that the Greek text underlying the translation of the ASV (the Westcott-Hort Text) differed from the Textus Receptus (underlying the KJV) in over 5,700 instances. Possibly it was because the Fundamentalists then were too busy combating the modernists' infiltration of seminaries and churches; or, perhaps it was due to the fact that the ASV never really found great acceptance publicly. It was not until the publication of the Revised Standard Version in 1946 and 1952 that many Fundamentalists became aware of how effectively a new Bible version or translation could be used as a tool of Satan.

Revised Standard Version (1946, 1952)

Some of God's people woke up with a start when the Revised Standard Version was published in 1952. This version, supposedly a revision of the ASV of 1901, eliminated the word virgin in the prophecy of Christ's birth in Isaiah 7:14; made numerous other blatant changes; and was copyrighted by the apostate National Council of Churches. Protests were heard far and wide! Sadly, many failed to recognize that some of the things they found so objectionable in the RSV were also true of the ASV. The furor over the RSV gradually died down. But this was the version which plowed the ground and paved the way for future perversions of the Scriptures. It had conditioned people to accept changes in the Bible- changes dictated by modern scholarship . At least the RSV left the word virgin in the New Testament references to the birth of Christ. It remained for the Good News Bible to remove it in both the Old and New Testaments.

Good News For Modern Man (1966)
Good News Bible (1976)

When the first edition of Good News For Modern Man (The New Testament in Today's English) was published in 1966, the word virgin appeared in all the texts in Matthew and Luke referring to the birth of Christ. But, when the 2nd and 3rd editions were published and then the entire Good News Bible was published in 1976, the word virgin had mysteriously disappeared from Luke 1:27 while remaining in Luke 1:34 and Matthew 1:23.0f course, the latter two verses have no meaning at all if the word virgin is removed or replaced. Also, the blood of Christ, a most important and precious word and theme, was lacking in many key New Testament references. It was replaced by "death" or "costly sacrifice," both good words in their own place but not what the Holy Spirit gave in the original text. The heretical views of the main translator, Dr. Robert Bratcher, help to explain the many places in which the Deity of Christ is played down or omitted. The Good News Bible is one of the worst versions, yet it has been distributed by the millions, largely due to endorsements by Billy Graham, Bill Bright and other evangelical leaders.

The Living Bible (1967, 1971)

This is neither a translation nor a version-it is a paraphrase. The Living Bible, praised by Billy Graham and other new-evangelical leaders, has reached a publication figure of 37 million copies and has made its author, Ken Taylor, a wealthy man. It is very readable, but at the expense of truth in so many places. Taylor admits that the principle he worked from was not a "word-for-word" translation but rather a "thought-for-thought" paraphrase which he called, "dynamic equivalence." Taylor said he worked for the most part from the ASV of 1901, a corrupt translation to begin with. The Living Bible decimates the Scriptures, almost completely eliminating important and precious words and truths as grace (see John 1:17; Acts 4:33, 15:11, 20:24; Romans 3:24; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Jude 4) and repentance (see Matthew 9:13 and Acts 17:30). "Honor" is substituted for "begotten" in Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5. Significant changes are made regarding such matters as creation in Genesis 1:1-2 and a prophecy of Christ in Zechariah 13:6. The meaning of Romans 8:28 is changed completely. Vulgar language is used in John 9:34, 11:39 and 2 Kings 18:27. The language of 1 Samuel 20:30 in early editions of TLB shocked many but it has now been softened. The author has left the door open for further suggestions, corrections and clarifications. Who knows what future editions may contain? Do you want a Bible that is being constantly revised?

New American Standard Version (1960, 1971)

The NASV was to be the Bible for conservatives, evangelicals and fundamentalists. The Foreword states that the NASV "has been produced with the conviction that the words of Scripture as originally penned in the Hebrew and Greek were inspired of God." The basic problem with this translation, however, is revealed in this statement: "This translation follows the principles used in the American Standard Version 1901 known as the Rock of Biblical Honesty." Who gave the ASV such a title? In the Principles of Revision, it is stated: "In revising the ASV consideration was given to the latest available manuscripts with a view to determining the best Greek text. In most instances the 23rd edition of the Nestle Greek New Testament was followed." This gets right to the heart of the major difficulty of all modern Bible versions-most are patterned after the corrupted Westcott-Hort Greek Text instead of the Textus Receptus. The word virgin does appear in Isaiah 7:14, but a footnote says, "or, young woman"- no doubt a sop to the liberals. Verses like Matthew 18:11 and Matthew 23:14 appear in brackets with a footnote saying, "most ancient manuscripts omit this verse" or, "this verse is not found in earliest manuscripts." A corrupted Greek text thus becomes the basis for raising questions about the entire verse In other instances as in Luke 24:40, the number of the verse appears followed by "see marginal note" which explains that "some ancient Mss. add verse 40." One wonders if the NASV translators were determined to list everything anyone ever added or left out of a manuscript until one discovers that some parts of verses are left out with no explanation whatsoever as in Colossians 1:14 and 1 Timothy 6:5. It is sad to see so many conservatives pushing this version and downgrading the KJV.

New International Version ( 1973, 1978)

Like the NASV, the NIV was produced by those who are said to "hold a high view of Scripture." Sponsored by the New York Bible Society, they admitted the NIV translators represent a "broad spectrum in evangelical Christianity" and the list of names confirms the broadness of the spectrum. Instead of being a revision of a previous version, the Preface says, "It is a completely new translation made by many scholars working directly from the Greek." The Greek text used is an "eclectic one." Translated into common language, that means they made a choice of different texts supposedly in "accord with sound principles of textual criticism." However, they did not state what those principles were-and much of the previous undermining of the Scripture has been done on the supposed basis of "sound principles of textual criticism." Examining the text, you find that the NIV leaves out many of the same verses and portions that the ASV and the NASV also omit. An added problem, however, stems from the fact that where an entire verse is omitted, ever the verse number is missing and only a small letter refers to a footnote of explanation. A careful study of this version confirms what one Christian leader said several years ago, "For every verse or word clarified in these new translations, two new problems are created." We agree with his statement. In a critique of the New International Version, one Fundamentalist scholar correctly objected that "words were dropped out; words were added; and key words were sometimes changed." Yet, the same objection must also be raised concerning the New American Standard Version which this same Fundamentalist scholar defends and recommends. This objection-the deletion or addition of words-also applies to all the other modern versions. We still insist on using and recommending only the Authorized Version.

New King James Version (1979,1982)

The NKJV is now deceiving more believers than any of the previous polluted modern Bible versions. Claims that the NKJV has "preserved the authority and accuracy," and "improved the purity and beauty" of the original KJV, are impressive but patently false. The NKJV text is actually a hybrid mixture which incorporates many word changes identical with or similar to the corruptions found in the other modern Bible versions. Late editions of the NKJV contain changes in text and footnote from that of the first editions and further changes are contemplated. The NKJV is not the pure Word of God. [Write us for a free copy of "The New King James Bible Examined"]

New Revised Standard Version ( l990)

The NRSV is the latest product of ecumenical scholarship and will soon replace the RSV, thus helping to fill the financial coffers of the apostate National Council of Churches which holds the copyrights on both the RSV and NRSV. Translated by liberal Protestant, Catholic and Jewish scholars, and eliminating so-called sexist language, the NRSV with the Apocrypha, has already received the Imprimatur of the Roman Catholic Church and may well become the ecumenical Bible of the future.

The more we have studied and researched this question of Bible versions, the more convinced we are that many of our dear brethren in the ministry and many Fundamentalist leaders have not taken time to look at the abundant evidence now available that clearly demonstrates the inaccuracies, inconsistencies and confusion resulting from new translations. It is clear that many scholars who consider themselves to be evangelical have been influenced by the apostate scholarship of the past and present. We recognize the difference between "higher criticism" (which would be rejected by most Fundamentalists) and "textual criticism" (which is accepted by most Fundamentalists). But many do not see how the whole field of "textual criticism" has been shaped and molded by the false premises and conclusions of "higher criticism." The central issue goes back to the acceptance of the Westcott-Hort Text instead of the Textus Receptus as the basis for Bible translations, versions and revisions.

While recognizing the extreme difficulties involved in translations of any kind and especially of a book as important as the Bible, we are convinced that God gave us the King James Bible-and that it will be far better for us to expand our vocabulary in order to understand its terminology than to continually re-write the Bible to suit those who will not be able to understand it anyway apart from the New Birth, or Christians who are too lazy to study. It is true that some English words have changed in their meaning and others are no longer in common usage. Such words are comparatively few and can easily be comprehended with the use of a good dictionary; but if the word is missing altogether, what then?

Untold confusion is caused by the promotion and use of so many different Bible versions. Why don't more pastors and Christian leaders see this? Congregational reading is becoming virtually impossible. Bible memorization is most difficult. And just think of the uncertainty which results when some verses are in the Bible, some are in with brackets around them, and some are missing completely. And many, whether in the text or in the footnotes, have their validity challenged.

For all of these reasons and many more, we conclude that modern Bible versions are dangerous and that God's people should beware of them. We close with a plea to all who love the Lord and His Word-look into this important question quickly and carefully. Then join us in seeking to alert and warn others concerning these subtle and devastating attacks being made upon God's Holy Word.

-M. H. REYNOLDS, EDITOR, FOUNDATION MAGAZINE

Fundamental Evangelistic Association
P. O. Box 6278-Los Osos, California 93412

This tract is available from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association for $0.07 each or $7.00 per 100 plus postage/shipping

Contact Kelly Condron at kcondron@slonet.org  if you have any questions or comments. Please let me know if there is any way I can help.

Last Revision To This Page Was January 6, 1996

Bible Believers Resource Page

THE NEW AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION CAN IT BE TRUSTED? SHOULD IT BE USED BY BIBLE-BELIEVERS?

IN A PREVIOUS leaflet, Modern Bible Versions Are
Dangerous--Watch Out For Them!, we expressed
our concern over the subtle ways in which Satan is
attempting to pollute the Word of God and destroy
confidence in the infallibility, inerrancy and verbal
inspiration of the Scriptures through a multiplicity
of new Bible versions, translations, revisions and
paraphrases, each claiming to be the most accurate,
up-to-date, reliable and readable. In this previous
leaflet, we dealt briefly with some of the best known
modern versions: the American Standard Version
(ASV), the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New
American Standard Version (NASV), the New Inter-
national Version (NIV), the New King James Version
(NKJV), the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV),
the Good News for Modern Man (GNB) and the
Living Bible (LB). We explained why we reject all of
these versions and use only the King James Version
(KJV). In this leaflet we will look specifically at the
New American Standard Version (NASV) since it is
the one most often endorsed and used by many
fundamentalists and evangelicals--even those who
have repudiated the other versions mentioned above.

Based on personal contacts and observations, it is our conclusion that most people (including many pastors) have accepted the NASV on the basis of its claims to be more accurate and up-to-date - or, they have accepted it on the recommendation of respected Christian leaders. Strangely enough, many of those who strongly oppose the Revised Standard Version favor the NASV, apparently unaware of how slavishly the NASV conforms to the RSV in many of the significant textual changes. As we have presented the material contained in this leaflet to various individuals and groups, specifically pointing out what the NASV has left out, changed or questioned, the overwhelming reaction has been first, one of amazement and second, one of deep concern. How could so many good Christian leaders be taken in by a translation which leaves out so much? The purpose of this leaflet is to encourage believers to take a careful look at the NASV to see just what has been left out, what has been changed and what has been called into question by either the text or the marginal references.

Let it be clear that the writer makes no claim to Greek or Hebrew scholarship. For this reason, we realize that some may reject our conclusions. Yet, we cannot believe that God would leave His Word at the mercy of "scholars" and make it impossible for the ordinary believer to be sure that he has a complete and accurate Bible. We have read what many of the scholars have to say and have found that they do not even agree among themselves. Most present-day "evangelical scholars" admit that the King James Version is basically a good translation. But many of them contend that the NASV is better and more accurate. WE REJECT THAT CONCLUSION! One does not have to be a scholar to know that if you believe in the verbal inspiration and inerrancy of the Scriptures, you cannot have two "Bibles" (differing in so many places) and still call both of them the Word of God! We contend that a choice can be made (and should be made) on the basis of a careful comparison of the KJV and NASV texts. Both cannot be reliable and right.

Before citing specific instances of important changes and differences between the KJV and NASV, it should be noted that many of these differences result from the fact that the translators and revisers worked from two different Greek texts. The KJV translators worked from the Greek text commonly referred to as the Textus Receptus (TR). This text, also known as the Received Text, was so named because over 95% of all the manuscripts containing portions or references to the New Testament Greek Text are in basic agreement with the Textus Receptus. On the other hand, the scholars who produced the NASV tell us that they worked basically from the 23rd edition of the Nestle Greek Text-a text very similar to the corrupted Westcott-Hort text. The Textus Receptus and the Westcott-Hort text differ in over 5,000 instances, resulting eventually in over 36,000 differences in the various English versions. While it is true that God has so wonderfully protected His Word that no major doctrine of Scripture has been completely obliterated, the translations based on the Westcott-Hort or Nestle Greek Texts reveal both subtle and frontal attacks on the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ and other basic Scriptural doctrines.

In our study of the NASV, we were amazed to find how many verses, portions of verses and words (which are in the KJV) are completely missing from the NASV. At times, omissions will be indicated by a marginal reference. In other instances, no explanation is given at all. Many verses or portions of verses which DO appear in the NASV as well as the KJV have their validity questioned. This is usually accomplished through the use of brackets or marginal references which explain that many or most ancient manuscripts omit the bracketed portion. In this connection, it is important to give the verbatim explanation of these marginal references as given by ; the translators of the NASV. The translators say:

"In addition to the more literal renderings, the marginal notations have been made to include alternate translations, readings of variant manuscripts and explanatory equivalents of the text. Only such notations have been used as have been felt justified in assisting the reader's comprehension of the terms used by the original author."

We ask the question: "How can anyone be HELPED in their understanding of the Word of God when so many questions are raised about what should or should not be a part of the words of the text?" It is our judgment that the NASV marginal readings generally produce confusion, not confidence; they promote doubt, not faith! In themselves, the marginal references provide an additional reason to reject the NASV.

In presenting specific instances of serious differences between the King lames Version and the New American Standard Version, the following abbreviations will be used: King James Version (KJV); New American Standard Version (NASV); marginal reference (MR); manuscripts (MSS). Note the following verses, portions of verses or words which are in the KJV but are missing or questioned in the NASV:

Matthew 18:11-This verse, "For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost" is in the NASV, but it is in brackets with a MR which says, "Most ancient MSS omit."

Matthew 27:35-NASV omits a major portion as follows: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the prophet, 'They parted my garments among them and upon my vesture did they cast lots " There is NO marginal reference or explanation FOR THIS OMISSION.

Mark 1:1-The important words, "The Son of God" are in the NASV, but a MR says, "Many MSS omit."

Mark 15:28-The entire verse is missing in the NASV but in its place are the words (SEE MARGINAL NOTE). The MR says, "Later MSS add vs. 28." Interestingly, the liberal RSV text also omits this verse but its footnote says, "Many ancient authorities insert."

Luke 4:4-NASV omits the last part of this verse, "But by every Word of God" without ANY explanation whatever.

Luke 4:8-NASV omits the words, "Get thee behind me, Satan" without ANY explanation whatever.

Luke 4:18-NASV omits the words, "To heal the broken hearted " without ANY explanation whatever.

Luke 22:43-44 These two verses are in the NASV but a MR says, "Some ancient MSS omit."

Luke 23:42-NASV omits the word, "Lord, " an important omission, without explanation.

Luke 24:6-The first part of this verse, "He is not here but he is risen" is in the NASV but a MR says, "Some ancient MSS omit." It is interesting that the liberal RSV omits this portion of the verse but a footnote says, "Some ancient authorities add."

Luke 24:12-NASV has this verse in brackets with a MR saying, "Some ancient MSS omit."

Luke 24:36-NASV omits a portion of this verse: "And he says to them, 'Peace be to you' " but a MR says, "Some ancient MSS insert."

Luke 24:40-This verse is COMPLETELY MISSING in the NASV text-the words (SEE MARGINAL NOTE) appear in place of this verse. The MR says, "Some MSS add vs. 40."

Luke 24:51-NASV omits a portion of this verse "and was carried up into heaven" but a MR says, "Some MSS add." A corresponding footnote in the liberal RSV says, "Many ancient authorities add."

Luke 24:52-NASV omits the words "and worshipped Him" and the MR says, "Some MSS insert." The liberal RSV footnote says, "Many ancient authorities add."

John 1:27-The words "is preferred before me" are MISSING in the NASV with NO EXPLANATION why they were deleted.

John 6:47-The words "on me" are COMPLETELY MISSING in the NASV with NO EXPLANATION.

Acts 8:37-NASV omits the entire verse and uses the now familiar (SEE MARGINAL NOTE) which says, "Later MSS insert." Those who teach the heresy of baptismal regeneration welcome this omission.

Acts 9:6-The words "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" are COMPLETELY MISSING WITHOUT EXPLANATION.

Romans 16:24-NASV OMITS THE ENTIRE VERSE. In its place is (SEE MARGINAL NOTE) which says, "Some ancient MSS add vs. 24)."

Ephesians 3:9-KJV reads, "Who created all things BY JESUS CHRlST." NASV omits "BY JESUS CHRIST" with ABSOLUTELY NO EXPLANATION OR MARGINAL NOTE.

1 John 4:3-The KJV properly reads, "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God " But the NASV reads, "And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God." There is no manuscript authority cited nor any explanation given for this important change in the text-a change which even the liberal Revised Standard Version does not make.

Revelation 1:11-NASV omits the words "l am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" WITH ABSOLUTELY NO EXPLANATION.

Many other specific examples could be given if space permitted. There are several very helpful publications available that provide a summary of textual differences and that also deal with the subject of Bible versions in more depth than we are able to in this leaflet. One such publication is Evaluating Versions of the New Testament by Everett W. Fowler, published by Maranatha Baptist Press; this booklet documents hundreds of changes and omissions.

There are also some very subtle and less obvious changes which have been made in the NASV text. Note the following:

Luke 24:47-The words in the KJV read "repentance AND forgiveness of sins" but the NASV reads "repentance FOR forgiveness of sins." The NASV marginal reading says, "Some MSS read 'AND forgiveness'," so they deliberately chose a rendering which raises the question of salvation by faith vs. salvation by works- an amazing decision by supposedly fundamental or evangelical scholars.

John 9:35-NASV substitutes "Son of Man" for "Son of God" with ABSOLUTELY NO EXPLANATION.

1 Timothy 3:16-the NASV text replaces the word "God" with "He" although the MR says "Some MSS read 'God'." This is a key verse concerning the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, the NASV scholars preferred a rendering which blunts this precious truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-Here is a subtle change suggested by the marginal note rather than the text itself. This key verse concerning the complete inspiration of the Scriptures properly reads in the NASV text, "All scripture is inspired by God . . " but the MR says, "Or, possibly, 'Every scripture inspired of God is profitable...."' No citation of manuscript authority is given-but this suggested possible change does make it conform to the liberal Revised Standard Version.

Now you see it-now you don't! Maybe it's in- maybe it's out! A sleight of hand performance has been perpetrated upon unsuspecting believers by the NASV. Is this any way to handle the precious, infallible, inerrant Word of God? Of course it is true that some words and expressions in the KJV are no longer in common usage or have changed somewhat in meaning. But this is no excuse for trying to replace the KJV with a version like the NASV which updates some words and expressions but leaves out or questions the validity of many words, portions of verses, entire verses and even extensive portions as in Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:53-8:11.

It should be clear that no version of the Bible could ever be produced in which every word would be readily understood by everyone. But that is where cross-references, footnotes, etc., become helpful. They explain without changing the words of the text itself. God has used expository preaching and teaching and the use of Bible commentaries and concordances to instruct and build up the believers. But the purity of the text itself MUST BE PRESERVED! Let the commentaries be clearly labeled as such-they are the works of men and are subject to error. BUT LET THE BIBLE STAND SUPREME AS THE UNCHANGING WORD OF THE LIVING GOD-without the tampering minds and fingers of man.

In closing, we cite one further instance of an important change in the NASV-a change which bears directly on our responsibility as believers to separate from false teachers and doctrines:

1 Timothy 6:5-Referring to "men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth," the KJV properly concludes this verse with the clear command of God: "FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF." The NASV omits COMPLETELY these four important words (in this case again following the liberal RSV text) with absolutely NO EXPLANATION OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING IS MISSING FROM THE TEXT.

The issue of Bible translations is not a minor issue as some seem to feel. If we do not have a sure foundation, we really have no foundation at all. Both reason and consistency demand that if one holds the NASV to be the most accurate version, then it should replace the KJV. However, many pastors, schools and religious organizations say that they will continue to use only the King James Version from the pulpit, platform and for study and memorization, yet at the same time they promote and defend the NASV which differs so greatly from the KJV and conforms so closely to other modern versions which they have repudiated.

We believe a choice can be made-AND SHOULD BE MADE! We believe the choice should be to use and recommend ONLY the King James Version of the Bible.

Several excellent books have been written on this important subject which are helpful to those who want more complete and thorough information. We have written this leaflet with the hope and prayer that it will inform God's people of the very subtle attack which is being made upon the very foundation of the Christian faith-the Bible! We urge God's people to make their own study of this matter.

-M.H. Reynolds, Editor, FOUNDATION MAGAZINE

This tract is available from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association for $0.07 each or $7.00 per 100 plus postage/shipping

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Last Revision To This Page Was December 27, 1995

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FAX 805-528-4971

New Evangelicalism Is Dangerous Watch Out For It!

In every age, there are those who profess the name of Christ, but who do not want to bear the reproach of the Cross.   They cannot stand to be looked down upon by the wise of the world.   They are more concerned with mak- ing the Gospel "respectable" than in declar- ing the whole counsel of God.   They have made a complicated system of "gears" so as to "gear" the Gospel to youth, to the athlete, to the politician, to the movie star, etc.   The whole program is deceptively dangerous for it appeals to the flesh in the name of the Spirit, and invariably glories in size rather than striving for fidelity to the Truth. Some of the symptoms of the New Evangeli- cal disease are: 1. Placing love above sound doctrine as a basis for Christian fellowship.    There can be no true love without sound doctrine.   1 John 5:2-3; Romans 16:17; John 14:21. 2. Re-thinking, re-investigating, and keep- ing an "open mind" regarding the funda- mentals of the Faith, including the inerrancy and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.

Faith in the Word of God and the Son of God are matters of God's revelation, not man's investiga- tion.   2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Corinthians 2:14. 3. Twisting the Scriptures in an effort to accommodate so-called "scientific" dis- covery and theory, including every form of evolution.    If man knows more than his Creator, God, indeed, is dead!   Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 1:20. 4. Seeking to develop lines of thought and arguments which would "Christianize" pagan ideas and systems founded upon unbelief (glori- fication of psychology, psychiatry, astrol- ogy, etc.).    Nothing is better for modern man than the absolute truth of God's Word.   Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13. 5. Preaching only a so-called "positive message," as often expressed by the state- ment, "God called me to win souls, not to criticize others."    God calls every believer to win souls, but He also commands every believer to con- tend earnestly for the Faith.   Jude 3-4; Acts 20:24-31. 6. Finding more fellowship with disobedient brethren and even outright apostates

than with Bible-believing fundamentalists.    This suits the devil just fine for it confuses the battle lines.   Ephesians 5:11; 1 Corin- thians 15:33. 7. Making the church more and more an instrument of social change by programs of humanitarian concern, rather than empha- sizing our responsibility to the Great Com- mission and the eternal welfare of man.    Cooperation with apostates most often starts with united welfare, mission, or evan- gelistic programs.   God has given specific instructions regarding the believer's responsibility to identify and to separate from all such false teachers. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 John 10-11. New Evangelicalism is wrong because it is unscriptural.   This fact is in no way modified because some highly respected Christian leaders embrace and promote it.   DON'T YOU BE DECEIVED BY IT!

The New King James Bible Examined

WHAT ABOUT THE NEW KING JAMES BIBLE?
In this article, we want to share with God's people
some of the important facts which led us to reject the
NKJV and warn others about it. We do not believe that
the "NKJV makes the KJV even better" as its publish-
ers claim. To the contrary, our study leads us to
conclude that the NKJV vitiates the original, reliable,
accurate KJV in a most deceptive manner. While
claiming to have "preserved the authority and accu-
racy" of the original KJV, the actual result is a hybrid
text which incorporates many changes identical
with or similar to the corruptions found in other
modern Bible versions.

Why the New King James Bible? Its publisher, Thomas Nelson Company, says its purpose is "To Preserve the Integrity of the Original in the Language of Today"-"To preserve the authority and accuracy . . . of the original King James while making it understandable to 20th Century readers"-"To update with regard to punctuation and grammar; archaic verbs and pronouns"; and "Up-to-date accuracy with regard to words whose English meaning has changed over a period of 3 1/2 centuries." The completed NKJV text is said to be "Beautifully Clear" and "Highly Readable." Thomas Nelson Publishers has spent millions to convince Christians that the NKJV is "the" Bible of the present and the future.

Why do we recommend rejection of the NKJV? Space limitations preclude a full discussion of every reason, but we do urge a careful consideration of the following facts. It is essential to know that many of the word changes between the original KJV and the NKJV are not changes which result from removing archaisms, etc. Instead, many are changes which clearly reveal that, contrary to their agreed basis, the NKJV translators departed from the original KJV and its underlying Greek text, the Textus Receptus, in favor of the very same wording found in versions translated from corrupted Greek texts.

The instances in which the NKJV breaks with the original KJV by substituting wording identical to that of corrupted modern Bible versions are too numerous to be considered coincidence. And, since Nelson tells us that the NKJV scholars spent "months of prayer, research, and discussion over the handling of a single word," we must conclude that these changes were neither coincidental nor accidental.

The following references are listed as examples of the way the translators inserted erroneous words and meanings from corrupted modern Bible versions into the NKJV text:

Titus 3:10-KJV reads, "A man that is an heretick...reject." NKJV and NIV change "heretick" to "divisive man"; RSV and NASV to "factious" man. (The one who holds to heresy is to be rejected, not the one who exposes false doctrine. The new versions confuse who is in mind here).

Acts 4:27-KJV reads, "Thy holy child, Jesus." NKJV, NASV and RSV change "holy child" to "holy servant."

Acts 8:9-KJV reads, "bewitched the people." NKJV and NASV change "bewitched" to "astonished." NIV and RSV change "bewitched" to "amazed."

Romans 1:25-KJV reads, "changed the truth of God into a lie." NKJV, NASV and NIV read "exchanged the truth of God for the lie" or "a lie."

Romans 4:25-KJV reads, "Who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification." NKJV and NASV change "for" to "because of." (Even the NIV and RSV use the correct word, "for").

2 Corinthians 10:5-KJV reads, "Casting down imaginations." NKJV, NIV and RSV change "imaginations" to "arguments."

Colossians 3:2-KJV reads, "Set your affection on things above." NKJV, NASV, NIV and RSV change "affection" to "mind."

1 Thessalonians 5:22-KJV reads, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." NKJV, NASV and RSV change "appearance" to "form."

2 Timothy 2:15-KJV reads, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God." NKJV and NASV change "study" to "be diligent." NIV and RSV change "study" to "do your best."

Old Testament examples include:

Psalm 79:1-the word "heathen" in the KJV is changed to "nations" in the NKJV, NASV and NIV.

Isaiah 11:3-the entire phrase, "And shall make Him of quick understanding" in the KJV is eliminated in the NKJV, NASV, NIV and RSV.

Isaiah 66:5-the wonderful phrase, "But He shall appear to your joy" in the KJV disappears without explanation from NKJV, NASV, NIV and RSV.

Daniel 3:25-the fourth person who was in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, was identified as "the Son of God." The same identification is given in the text of the NKJV but a footnote reads "or, a son of the gods," and both NIV and NASV actually have the latter reading in their texts.

In other Old Testament portions, the word "evil" in the KJV is replaced by several different words-doom, disaster, calamity, catastrophe, trouble, adversity, terrible, harm, wild. In four different places in 1 and 2 Kings, "sodomites" is changed to "perverted persons."

The NKJV does not deserve its respected name. It is a perverted version.

Additional examples of significant changes would include the following: Matthew 4:24; 6:13; 7:14; 20:20; Mark 4:19; John 14:2; Acts 17:29; Romans 1:18; Philippians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Timothy 6:5, 10, 20; Hebrews 2:16; 10:14; James 1:15; 1 Peter 1:7.

A striking word change involves changing "corrupt" to "peddling" in 2 Corinthians 2:17. The KJV correctly says, "For we are not as many, which corrupt the Word of God...." But the NKJV, NASV, NIV and RSV, change "corrupt" to "peddling." Is there any great difference between peddling (selling, or making a gain of) the Word of God and corrupting (adulterating) it? Of course there is, and one does not have to be a Greek scholar to decide which word is correct. When this warning was given in the 1st Century, was there any way for people to peddle (make a gain of) God's Word? Of course not-they were suffering for it. The warning clearly refers to corrupting God's Word, something that was common then as it is now. Only in our day has it ever been possible to peddle (make a gain of) the Bible. With its huge profits from the sale of many different Bible versions, the Thomas Nelson Publishers is both corrupting and peddling God's Word.

Dr. Jerry Falwell, a member of the NKJV overview committee, gives this new Bible his unqualified endorsement, stating that "It protects every thought, every idea, every word, just as it was intended to be understood by the original scholars." This simply is not true! As already pointed out, words have been changed and with those changed words have come changed thoughts and ideas.

Some will argue that the changes noted do not affect any fundamental Bible doctrine. We strongly disagree. Is not the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures a fundamental doctrine? Is not every word of the Bible important? Jesus Christ said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt.4:4). He also said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matt. 24:35). Since Christ is concerned about every word, we should also be concerned about every word and raise a voice of protest whenever scholarly sleight of hand is discovered in any modern version, including the NKJV.

In raising strenuous objections to the changed words of the NKJV text, we are not referring to those changes which update old English verb forms without changing the meaning, i.e., removing "est" or "eth" from verb endings. Neither do we refer to updating the old English pronouns "thee," "thou" and "thine" where they refer to individuals. We do consider it a tragic mistake to eliminate the use of "Thee," "Thou" and "Thine" where these refer to Deity. There is a disturbing trend toward stripping God of His Majesty both in word and deed. The substitution of the common pronouns 'You" and "Yours" for "Thee," "Thou" and "Thine" which have historically been used to refer to Deity both in the Scriptures and the Hymns of the Church, only helps pave the way for further attempts of sinful men to bring God down to their level rather than exalting Him in every way possible.

The NKJV translators claimed it was one of their purposes to update words where the meaning of a particular word had changed over the last 375 years. In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, they updated "letteth" to "restraineth"; in Psalm 4:2, "leasing" is updated to "lying"; In 1 Thessalonians 4:15, "prevent" is updated to "precede"; in Matthew 19:14, "suffer" is updated to "let" (meaning allow or pennit).

In other instances it is difficult to understand how the NKJV scholars thought they were updating and clarifying the KJV as, for example, when they substituted "minas" for "pounds" in Luke 19:13; or, "satraps" for "princes" in Daniel 3:3; or, "black cummin" for "fitches" in Isaiah 28:27.

Many Christians today are purchasing NKJV Bibles for three reasons: (1) Many pastors and Christian leaders are highly recommending it. (2) They have been assured by translators and publishers that the NKJV is based upon the same Hebrew and Greek texts used by the KJV translators. However, as already mentioned, such a claim is simply not true and can be easily documented by comparing the wording of the NKJV with the NIV, NASV, RSV and other versions whose translators admittedly used other Hebrew and Greek texts. (3) The NKJV is supposedly easier to read and understand but its impurities actually make it doubly deceptive and dangerous.

The duplicity of the NKJV publishers, translators and endorsers greatly increases the possibility of believers being deceived. The word duplicity is used advisedly. Webster's Dictionary defines duplicity as, "Deception by pretending to feel and act one way while acting another." The following duplicity can be fully documented:

The duplicity of the Thomas Nelson Publishers is clearly evidenced by their supposed concern and stated desire to "preserve the authority and accuracy...of the original King James" Bible. Yet, Nelson is the largest publisher of Bibles in the world and publishes eight of the nine modern versions including the iniquitous Revised Standard Version, copyrighted by the apostate National Council of Churches. If the Thomas Nelson Publishers were genuinely concerned about the purity of the Scriptures, would they continue printing the RSV and other corrupted modern Bible versions?

The duplicity of the NKJV scholars is also a matter for concern. Although each scholar was asked to subscribe to a statement confirming his belief in the plenary, divine, verbal inspiration of the original autographs (none of which exist today), the question of whether or not they also believed in the divine preservation of the divinely inspired originals was not an issue as it should have been. Dr. Arthur Farstad, chairman of the NKJV Executive Review Committee which had the responsibility of final text approval, stated that this committee was about equally divided as to which was the better Greek New Testament text-the Textus Receptus or the Westcott-Hort. Apparently none of them believed that either text was the Divinely preserved Word of God. Yet, all of them participated in a project to "protect and preserve the purity and accuracy" of the original KJV based on the TR. Is not this duplicity of the worst kind, coming from supposedly evangelical scholars?

Further duplicity is revealed in the preface of the NKJV and in a 16-page history of the KJV printed at the end. On page VI of the preface, NKJV readers are given the following erroneous information: "There is only one basic New Testament used by Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox, by conservatives and liberals." This is simply not true! There are two basic New Testament texts-the Divinely preserved Textus Receptus from which the original KJV was translated and the satanically corrupted Westcott-Hort Text (and its revisions) which form the basis of all other modern Bible versions.

NKJV readers are further misinformed as to why there are so many differences between the original KJV and all the modern versions. On page VI of the preface, NKJV readers are assured, "...That the most important differences in the English New Testament of today are due, not to manuscript divergence, but to the way in which translators view the task of translation." This simply is not true. Many important differences in the English New Testament of today are indeed due to manuscript divergence (over 5700 differences exist between the TR and WH Greek texts) in addition to the divergent views of the scholars who produced the various translations.

On page VII of the preface is another very significant statement concerning the NKJV footnotes: "Significant explanatory notes, alternate translations, and cross references, as well as New Testament citations of Old Testament passages, are supplied in footnotes. Important textual variants in the Old Testament are footnoted in a standard form. The textual information in the New Testament footnotes is a unique provision in the history of the English Bible. Terms in the footnotes such as 'better manuscripts' are avoided. The footnotes in the present edition make no evaluation of the readings, but do clearly indicate the manuscript sources of readings which diverge from the traditional text. Thus, a clearly defined presentation of the variants is provided for the benefit of interested readers representing all textual persuasions."

As a crowning climax of duplicity and inconsistency, the editors of the NKJV make the following incongruous statements on pages 1,234 and 1,235 of the King lames history printed at the conclusion of the NKJV text:

"The tendency of recent revisers has been to remove words and phrases from the text of Scripture, based on the most recently discovered extant manuscripts. In using the Greek text underlying the King James Bible, these words and phrases were retained. And, in those few places where the majority of the manuscripts did not support a word or phrase, that fact could best be indicated in a footnote. (The New Testament of the New King James Version shows in its footnotes those places where the major textual traditions differ from the language of the King James Bible.)

"It was the editors' conviction that the use of footnotes would encourage further inquiry by readers. They also recognized that it was easier for the average reader to delete something he or she felt was not properly a part of the text, than to insert a word or phrase which had been left out by the revisers."

Will the next modem Bible be the "Do It Yourself" version? This would be a distinct possibility if the advice of the NKJV editors in the two preceding paragraphs were to be followed. In effect, they are saying, let each reader decide for himself what portions, verses, phrases and words should be included in God's Holy Word." NKJV footnotes, far from being helpful, are an invitation to disobey the plain command of God not to add to or take from His Word. Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18,19.

The preservation of God's divinely inspired Word is clearly set forth in Psalm 12:6,7, "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever. " God has fulfilled His promise through the Textus Receptus and the King James Version. Those who replace the KJV with the NKJV will have been duped into accepting a Bible which still bears a respected name but one which has placed "readability" above purity.

The translators of the original King James Bible had a distinct advantage. They were able to use their vast knowledge of ancient languages and translation abilities prior to the time when the deadly virus of so-called "Higher Criticism" infected the whole field of scholarship. False teachers boldly dissected God's Word with the "tools of scholarship" in order to reconstruct it according to their own speculations and presumptions. The result is a pseudo-intellectual aura in which no one can be sure of anything. It's time to get back to the pure Word of God where faith prevails and doubt is vanquished!

Believers who will take the time to compare the KJV with the NKJV and then with other modern versions will see for themselves why the NKJV should be exposed and repudiated as a polluted version. And, those who will take time to carefully look at the NKJV footnotes will be doubly concerned and will join in warning others about it.

Our plea to God's people is to reject the NKJV Bible and continue preaching, teaching, memorizing and meditating upon the pure, unadulterated, Divinely preserved milk and meat of God's Holy Word-The King James Authorized Version of 1611 upon which God has placed His stamp of approval over a span of nearly four centuries. Nothing is more important than the purity of God's Holy Word.

-M. H. REYNOLDS, EDITOR, FOUNDATION MAGAZINE

Fundamental Evangelistic Association
Box 6278 Los Osos CA 93412 USA

This tract is available from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association for $0.07 each or $7.00 per 100 plus postage/shipping

The
PROMISE KEEPERS
Movement is Dangerous
-- Watch Out For It!

A NEW MOVEMENT CALLED PROMISE KEEPERS
is sweeping our nation like a wildfire. Is it of
God, or man? Will it solve the problems of those who
have embraced its principles and teachings, or will
it compound those problems? Can a Biblical answer
be given to those important questions now, or is it
best to withhold judgment until a later time?
   Obviously, some very conflicting views already exist as to the basis, programs, benefits and goals of the Promise Keepers movement. This report is based upon the actual words of its leaders made in public meetings, contained in press releases, or printed in books, magazines and articles which have either been published or endorsed by leaders of the Promise Keepers movement. It is obvious that this movement is superbly organized and has tremendous financial resources at its disposal. The way it has caught on since its formation in 1990, and its ambitious plans for expansion in the future, require our immediate response and warning.

Most pastors and other individuals have so far heard only good reports about it. Even though some have questions and a feeling of uneasiness concerning it, they have had little or no opportunity to examine it carefully. While it is true that most if not all of the major evangelical and charismatic leaders are praising, supporting and participating in Promise Keepers, that, in itself is no guarantee that its principles, practices and goals are in accord with the Scriptures. Having personally read every word of the book, Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, as well as all the latest press releases and many of their other articles, we have come to the inescapable conclusion that this movement represents another massive effort of Satan to mix truth and error in some very deceptive ways.

Therefore, we do not hesitate to give the strongest possible warning now concerning the dangers of the Promise Keepers movement. Our reasons will be clearly stated and properly documented from original sources so that God's people may be able to see for themselves how this new movement is mixing truth and error. If for no other reason, the Promise Keepers movement is dangerous because it promotes an unscriptural agenda of forging a religious unity which is absolutely forbidden in God's Word (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Eph. 5:11). Its founder and several of its leaders are part of the charismatic movement which is a major catalyst in the effort to bring about fellowship and eventual union with the Roman Catholic Church; whereas, in truth, the Roman Catholic Church is a false church, preaches a false gospel and is not a part of the body of Christ.

Throughout the centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has been an enemy of all true believers and the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs is upon its hands. However, for the past few decades, the Roman Catholic Church has changed its outward appearance and approaches. It has a new face of tolerance and a kindlier public image but the damnable heresies it proclaims remain as dangerous as ever. Furthermore, those who are only familiar with Roman Catholicism, as practiced in this country, would not believe the raw heathenism which is part of their worship in countries where they have been in control for centuries.

It should be of great concern to every believer to know that the Promise Keepers movement is taught and led by men who blindly praise the Pope and are giving Roman Catholicism an undeserved and unwarranted vote of confidence and even appreciation instead of sounding the warnings God's Word commands.

The Promise Keepers movement and its leaders totally reject the many plain commands of Scripture to separate from and warn about false teachers, disobedient brethren and the world. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15; 1 John 2:15-17. As a result, those whom they seek to "disciple" are deprived of the warnings God's Word says are necessary to preserve the purity of the Gospel and the purity of the church. Instead of obeying the command of God's Word to "preach no other doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:3); and by refusing to heed the warning God gives in Galatians 1:6-10 concerning all who preach "any other Gospel," they have become "blind leaders of the blind" about which Jesus Christ warned (Matt. 15:10-14). Since the inevitable result of such spiritual blindness is that "both shall fall into the ditch," the strongest warning must be given.

Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper is the title of a book published in 1994 by "Focus on the Family," Colorado Springs, CO., and distributed in the USA and Canada by "Word Books," Dallas, TX. It is key to the understanding of what Promise Keepers is trying to do. Contributing authors are: Bill Bright, Edwin Cole, Dr. James Dobson, Tony Evans, Bill McCartney, Luis Palau, Randy Phillips, Gary Smalley, Jack Hayford, Wellington Boone, Howard Hendricks, E. Glenn Wagner, Gary Oliver, Dale Schlafer, H. B. London, Jr., Philip Porter, and Gordon England. This 210-page book was edited by Al Janssen and Larry K. Weeden.

"Seven solid promises that will change a man's life forever" -- This bold claim, printed on the back jacket of this book, only serves to heighten the need for an immediate, Scriptural analysis of the Promise Keepers movement; for, indeed, these seven promises are not solidly based upon the sure foundation of God's Word alone, but upon a mixture of God's Word with the suppositions of men.

What Are The Seven Promises?

Promise one...a man and his God: A Promise Keeper is committed to honoring Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, and obedience to God's Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Promise two...a man and his mentors: A Promise Keeper is committed to pursuing vital relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises.

Promise three...a man and his integrity: A Promise Keeper is committed to practicing spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity.

Promise four... a man and his family: A Promise Keeper is committed to building strong marriages and families through love, protection, and biblical values.

Promise five...a man and his church: A Promise Keeper is committed to supporting the mission of the church by honoring and praying for his pastor, and by actively giving of his time and resources.

Promise six...a man and his brothers: A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.

Promise seven...a man and his world: A Promise Keeper is committed to influencing his world, being obedient to the Great Commandment (see Mark 12:30,31) and the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:19, 20).

At first glance, it is not difficult to understand why most Christians might feel that the Promise Keepers movement is greatly needed and should be encouraged and supported. Without question there is a great need today for Godly men who will assume their responsibilities in the home, in the church and in the world. However, a careful examination of the programs and goals as set forth by its leaders in public and in print, and by comparing these with the Scriptures, it becomes clear that discerning believers must raise serious questions now concerning this rapidly growing men's movement.

The emphasis upon self-effort within the Promise Keepers program supplants absolute dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Only God can unfailingly keep a promise. Therefore those in the movement will face disillusionment and disappointment because of their failure to look to God and His promises alone.

Before giving an analysis of the Promise Keepers movement in the light of the Scriptures, we trust it will be helpful to mention several basic issues which should not be disregarded nor treated lightly.

Dangers of the Promise Keepers:

* Advocacy of an unscriptural religious unity at the expense of sound doctrine and practice.

* Acceptance and promotion of unscriptural Charismatic teachings.

* Approval and use of psychological approaches and techniques.

* Use and promotion of corrupted modern versions of the Bible.

* Twisting, misapplying, and misinterpreting key Scriptures.

* A program stressing the importance of evangelism while ignoring the need of a pure gospel.

* A subtle and very harmful influence upon local churches which have heretofore resisted unscriptural programs and fellowships.

Are the promises demanded of the Promise Keepers Scriptural? A careful review of their Seven Promises clearly reveals that a mixture of truth and error is involved. For instance:

Promise One -- A man and his God: A Promise Keeper is committed to honoring Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, and obedience to God's Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Analysis): Technically, and if these words are understood in their scriptural and historical meaning, any true believer -- man or woman -- would gladly support such a statement. However, we live in days when wonderful words like these are being abused and misused.

For example, in the first chapter of the book, Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, Charismatic leader Dr. Jack Hayford sets forth some precious truths concerning the different aspects of worship as set forth in the Scriptures. However, when he writes about "Redeeming Worship" on page 19, he teaches serious error. Hayford writes: "Redeeming worship centers on the Lord's Table. Whether your tradition celebrates it as Communion, Eucharist, the Mass, or the Lord's Supper, we are all called to this centerpiece of Christian worship."

Is there any difference between the Eucharist and the Mass (celebrated by Roman Catholics and Orthodox), and the Lord's Table, Lord's Supper and Communion observed by true believers? Of course there is! Historically the mass has been recognized by Bible believers as blatant blasphemy. Yet, today, Hayford, like other Charismatic* leaders, is teaching Promise Keepers and others that this false view of Christian worship is approved by God and proper for all Christians to accept. Promise One has the right words but the wrong application. Many other examples could be cited of errors concerning prayer and the ministry of the Holy Spirit which are believed and taught by Charismatic leaders. We have to ask, "How could anyone possibly promise to obey God's Word and in the same breath disobey that Word?" It is this inconsistency and incongruity that makes Promise Keepers a deceptive movement.

Promise Two -- A man and his mentors: A Promise Keeper is committed to pursuing vital relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises.

(Analysis): How very dangerous is this false premise which is based upon psychological theories rather than on Biblical principles. Of course Godly men can be of help to others and be helped by others. But to encourage the false notion that a godly man cannot make it on his own in these tumultuous times without depending upon other Promise Keepers to help keep him "on the right track" is another trick of Satan to belittle the power of God and negate His "...great and precious promises" (2 Pet. 1:3, 4).

God's Word repeatedly warns about the danger of putting trust in men. Isaiah 2:22, "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?" Jeremiah 17:5, "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." By contrast, note Jeremiah 17:7, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is." God's Word clearly commands us to "...have no confidence in the flesh" (Phil. 3:3). God specifically warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." Those who disregard God's warnings are surely headed for a fall.

Promise Three -- A man and his integrity: A Promise Keeper is committed to practicing spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity.

(Analysis): Once again, here is a statement that all Christians should desire to see fulfilled in their lives, not just the men but women also. But if the men have to depend on their brothers to attain these goals, what about the women? Will a women's Promise Keepers movement also become a necessity and be established as the newest women's movement on the scene?

In fact, however, the spiritual, moral, ethical and sexual purity needed by every believer is not to be found in making boastful promises nor in dependence upon other believers but can only be obtained by heeding the Word of God which says, "Whereby are given unto us [all of us!] exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:4). It is the promises of God that are all-important and they assure divine power to accomplish His purpose of godliness in an ungodly day, not the promises of even the finest, most sincere men who attempt to formulate what they believe is needed to change men and then the world.

Promise Four -- A man and his family: A Promise Keeper is committed to building strong marriages and families through love, protection, and biblical values.

(Analysis): Here is another promise which is certainly desirable as stated. However, the question which must be asked and answered concerns just what are these "biblical values?" A careful study of Promise Keepers literature reveals that their programs are based upon some Biblical values given by God, but are also mixed with some very dangerous psychological principles and practices which rest upon the theories of men. This unsound material will continue to flow into churches long after the initial excitement of the program wanes.

Promise Five -- A man and his church: A Promise Keeper is committed to supporting the mission of the church by honoring and praying for his pastor, and by actively giving of his time and resources.

(Analysis): Whether such a promise is scriptural or unscriptural depends entirely upon which church is involved. Is it a church which proclaims a false gospel (such as the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and liberal Protestant churches)? Is it a church which is disobedient to God's Word by its fellowship with false teachers and those who "love the world"? (1 John 2:15-17). If so, to "support the mission of such a church, honoring and praying for its pastor, and actively giving of his time and resources" is helping to build the one-world harlot church of the antichrist. Promise Keepers ignore the plain commands of God's Word concerning separation from those who teach error, and fail to "reprove" such (Eph. 5:11). As a result, the men in the Promise Keepers movement are totally unprepared to stand against all the "wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11).

Promise Six -- A man and his brothers: A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.

(Analysis): This required promise once again mixes truth and error and provides another example of how the word "biblical" is misused. While reaching beyond racial barriers is Scriptural, reaching beyond denominational barriers as Promise Keepers are doing amounts to open defiance of God's plain commands. It is not "biblical unity" which Promise Keepers think they are demonstrating, but an unbiblical unity which will bring God's eventual judgment. 2 Peter 2:1-3.

Should anyone doubt the fact that the Promise Keepers movement seeks an unbiblical unity, just read the words of its founder, Coach Bill McCartney, as found on pages 160, 161 of Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper: "Now, I don't mean to suggest that all cultural differences and denominational distinctives are going to disappear. But what I know is that Almighty God wants to bring Christian men together regardless of their ethnic origin, denominational background, or style of worship. There's only one criterion for this kind of unity: to love Jesus and be born of the Spirit of God. Can we look one another in the eye -- black, white, red, brown, yellow, Baptist, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God, Catholic [emphasis ours], and so on -- and get together on this common ground: 'We believe in salvation through Christ alone, and we have made Him the Lord of our lives'? Is that not the central, unifying reality of our existence? And if it is, can we not focus on that and call each other brothers instead of always emphasizing our differences? Men, we have to get together on this!"

In this statement, McCartney's contradictory words should be noted concerning the necessity of believing in salvation through Christ alone -- and then including Roman Catholics as "brothers" in spite of the fact that they do not believe in salvation through Christ alone, adding sacraments and good works as requirements for salvation.

Promise Seven -- A man and his world: A Promise Keeper is committed to influencing his world, being obedient to the Great Commandment (see Mark 12:30, 31) and the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:19, 20).

(Analysis): The Great Commandment referred to in Mark 12:30, 31 records the words of Jesus Christ in which love to God and love to one's neighbor are commanded. However, Promise Keepers presents a faulty understanding of genuine Christian love in which reconciliation with a disobedient brother is insisted upon, whereas, in truth, separation from disobedient brethren is commanded by God (2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15). In these days of increasing compromise, Satan has succeeded in blinding the eyes of many believers to the fact that separation from disobedient brethren is not only for the preservation of a pure church, but is also for the disobedient brother's spiritual welfare. Promise Keepers' mistaken premise that genuine Christian love necessitates fellowship with, rather than separation from disobedient brethren, will do untold harm to all concerned.

The Great Commission referred to in Matthew 28:19, 20 involves not only the preaching of the Gospel, but also teaching those who believe "...to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Giving the impression that it does not matter what church is attended or what doctrinal creed is embraced by any true believer is foolish -- it does matter to God and a warning against error must be given. The apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelists, pastors, missionaries, and teachers of all time, writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Acts 20:17-32, reminded the Ephesian elders that he had not shunned to declare "all the counsel of God" (v. 27), warning "every one night and day with tears" for three years (v. 3l). What were these warnings about? The grievous wolves (false teachers) who would enter in, "not sparing the flock" (v. 29), and those from within the church who would arise, "speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (v. 30). Separation from, not reconciliation with such false teachers, is God's way of preserving the purity and power of the church.

Much of the strong appeal of the movement is based upon humanistic psychological principles and techniques. Many of its leaders, however, have become very proficient in using such dangerous theories even while claiming to repudiate humanistic psychology. In another of Satan's "dangerous mixture" deceptions, the term "Christian Psychologist" has mesmerized its proponents into believing that it is possible to take the "good things" from humanistic psychology and combine these with Biblical teachings. The result supposedly provides answers to problems Christians are experiencing which can be found in no other way. As a result, Dr. James Dobson, who is one of the Promise Keepers leaders, and other well-known "Christian Psychologists" such as Gary Smalley, John Trent, and Robert Hicks are leading many astray.

We fully concur with the statement of Martin and Deidre Bobgan on page 29 of their 41-page booklet, "Promise Keepers & PsychoHeresy." We quote: "If men are to come together as men, they would do well to follow what the Bible says rather than Freudian fables, Jungian myths, and other self-serving, man-made psychologies. And they would do well to gather together in the place where they are meant to grow -- in the local church -- not in huge rallies with "mob psychology" or in groups using encounter group techniques and undermining important doctrinal distinctives." For a comprehensive and Biblical analysis of the highly-questionable book, The Masculine Journey -- Understanding The Six Stages of Manhood, which has been given massive distribution to Promise Keepers, write to PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries, 4137 Primavera Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93112. A second book, Against Biblical Counseling & For the Bible (200 pages) will also be very helpful to all those who want the facts concerning the dangers of Christian Psychology.

Our own publication, "The House That Freud Built," will provide valuable information concerning the dangers of "sensitivity training" and "small group" psychological techniques as devised for those who claim to be evangelical believers. This 40-page booklet gives the history of how "sensitivity training" was introduced into evangelical churches. Originally printed in the September/October 1994 issue of Foundation, this reprint will be an eye opener to all who want to know the truth.

What does Promise Keepers say about its history and future plans? The following information is quoted in full from the Fact Sheet which was part of the official press packet prepared in January 1995:

How we started: On March 20, 1990 University of Colorado Head Football Coach Bill McCartney and his friend Dave Wardell, Ph.D were on a three-hour car ride to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting in Pueblo, CO, when the idea of filling a stadium with Christian men first came up. Later in 1990, seventy-two men began to pray and fast about the concept of thousands of men coming together for the purpose of Christian discipleship.

Yearly attendance figures as given in this Fact Sheet testify to its small beginning and rapid growth.

1991 -- 4,200 men met at the Univ. of Colorado Events Center; 1992 -- 22,000 men met at CU's Folsom Stadium; 1993 -- 50,000 filled Folsom Stadium to capacity; 1994 -- Seven sites nationwide totaling 278,600 men. 1995 Plans: Promise Keepers has scheduled 13 conferences across the United States from April through October 1995. Sites include Pontiac, MI; Los Angeles, CA; Boise, ID; Washington D. C.; Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Indianapolis, IN; Atlanta, GA; Seattle, WA; Minneapolis, MN; St. Petersburg. FL; Oakland, CA.; and Irving, TX. Total attendance for these 13 conferences is projected to be between 500,000 and 600,000.

Why "For men only": The conferences are designed for specific men's issues in the context of an all-male setting. We have discovered that men are more apt to hear and receive the full instruction of the sessions when they are not inhibited by concern for a woman's responses. One of the primary goals of the conference is to deepen the commitment of men to respect and honor women.

(Analysis): Yes, Promise Keepers is a rapidly growing movement. In addition to the plans for 1995, we understand that tentative plans for 1996 include bringing together 75,000 clergy for a Conference as well as a huge rally in Washington, D.C. with the goal of one million men in attendance. In Promise Keepers literature, repeated references are made to the supposition, "There is strength in numbers." But where is such a false idea supported in Scripture? God usually had to reduce the numerics of Israel's armies so they would not become proud and take glory unto themselves for victories won -- glory which belonged to God. Read the record of Gideon in Judges 7:1-22 as a prime example. Of course, in our day, the great majority of professing Christians are willing to compromise Biblical principles, mistakenly assuming that size is all-important to God as it is to men. That is a grievous error. Fidelity to the Truth is of utmost importance.

Speakers at Promise Keepers "Raise the Standard" conferences include: Ron Blue, Wellington Boone, Bill Bright, Dave Bryant, Ken Canfield, Tom Claus, Ed Cole, Chuck Colson, Rod Cooper, Daniel DeLeon, Tony Evans, Steve Farrar, Joseph Garlington, Bill Glass, Franklin Graham, Jack Hayford, Howard Hendricks, E. V. Hill, Bill Hybels, T. D. Jakes, Jeffrey Johnson, Billy Kim, Greg Laurie, Crawford Loritts, John Maxwell, Bill McCartney, Bob Moorhead, Gary Oliver, Juan Carlos Ortiz, Luis Palau, John Perkins, Randy Phillips, Dennis Rainey, Raul Ries, James Ryle, Gary Smalley, Joe Stowell, Chuck Swindoll, John Trent, E. Glenn Wagner, Stu Weber, John Wesley-White, Al Whittinghill, Bruce Wilkinson, and Ravi Zacharias.

(Analysis): Without doubt these speakers are very capable teachers who are able to give forceful presentations of what they teach. The question to be raised however, concerns whether or not they will be giving these huge crowds of men the whole counsel of God or a modified, altered, misleading presentation of essential Scriptural truths. Since the ministry of these teachers runs the gamut from compromising new-evangelicalism and charismatic error, to ecumenical liberalism, it is clear that they will be introducing the Promise Keepers to unscriptural doctrines and fellowships. This is a very serious matter.

Promise Keepers officers and major staff members are obviously very capable communicators and seasoned motivators -- their combined talents provide an amazing base for publicity and continued support. An article by Stephen R. McLauchlin in the January/February, 1995 issue of Religious Broadcasters magazine reports that the free 90-second daily "Promise Keepers Men in Action" spot announcements are already being carried on approximately 400 stations. This article encourages stations to publicize Promise Keepers by "giving coverage to the conferences, signing up to air "Men in Action," and covering local stories that highlight grass roots experiences of the movement."

Campus Crusade for Christ is also involved in the movement. In the "Alumni Relations" newsletter of January, 1995 the following article was included which describes the purpose of "Strategic Alliance," the title they have given to the Promise Keepers/Campus Crusade organizational link: "Strategic Alliance -- Have you attended Promise Keepers and want to receive further training? 'M.A.N. to Man' seminars are part of a Strategic Alliance between Campus Crusade for Christ and Promise Keepers to help men 1) personalize issues that concern men; 2) provide basic leadership training; and 3) give information on small-group Bible studies especially for men."

Campus Crusade has a long history of increasing compromise. It adopted at its inception the policy of totally rejecting Biblical separation; infiltration rather than separation has always been CCC's stated strategy. As a result of adopting this unbiblical course, CCC has increased its compromise. Liberal, Roman Catholic and Charismatic delusion are now firmly lodged within this incredibly influential organization. Their support will give Promise Keepers a tremendous boost.

Consider also The National Religious Broadcasters which now numbers some 800 broadcasters, representing a wide array of diverse theological positions. The NRB is an official arm of the National Association of Evangelicals which, since its founding in 1942, has represented a position of compromise between Biblical Fundamentalism and Ecumenism. Fifty years ago, the NAE recognized Roman Catholicism as a false religious system, but it has now become one of the major forces which, while admitting that there are some differences, is now advocating cooperation with Roman Catholics as though it could now be considered a part of the body of Christ. It is obvious that such a position is held by the majority of professing believers today, but that makes it all the more important for all who stand for the Bible and against all compromise to warn all who will listen.

Promise Keepers is being welcomed by Roman Catholic leaders in Southern California. According to the official publication of the Los Angeles Roman Catholic archdiocese, The Tidings, March 31, 1995 edition, Promise Keepers is now considered a viable ministry for Catholics. The Tidings reported that at the urging of Cardinal Roger Mahony, Christian Van Liefde, Roman Catholic priest and pastor of St. Hillary Church in Pico Rivera, "has studied the feasibility and appropriateness of utilizing Promise Keepers at the Catholic parish level." Van Liefde, while noting "the evangelical roots of the program," was quoted as stating that "there is no doctrinal issue which should cause concern to the Catholic Church." Van Liefde was further quoted as saying, "Promise Keepers places a very strong emphasis on returning to your own church congregation or parish and becoming an active layman." Van Liefde also mentioned the fact that one of the promises of Promise Keepers is his commitment to "give generously of their time, treasure and talent to their local church." Roman Catholic leaders are quick to observe how Promise Keepers can be used to build a false church which preaches a false gospel.

The pressure to follow the crowd and silence the voice of scriptural reproof is growing. In closing this article, however, we would point out that any pastor and church wanting to stand against such compromise will have to take a stand now against the Promise Keepers teachings. Many who have already joined this group are now bent on recruiting new members with fully as much zeal and pressure as sports-minded college alumni men seek to recruit top athletes for sports programs.

We see this recruiting zeal of those who become involved in the movement to be one of its greatest hazards. Why? Because there will be many faithful pastors who have in the past taken a stand against all ecumenical endeavors and movements which would introduce doctrinal error and the devilish spirit of new-evangelicalism into their congregations, but who now are pressured into buying into the Promise Keepers program.

How could a pastor say "No, we cannot..." to men returning from a Promise Keepers conference who promise the pastor they will support him, work with him, and pray for him as never before? How can he deal with these undoubtedly well-meaning, yet misled, men within his own church who are now exerting pressure upon him to fall into line with the program? Imagine the faithful pastor's dilemma! Up until now he could herald a warning against Romanism, liberalism, ecumenism, charismatic delusion and the like without reservation. But now he has men within his own flock who are introducing the people to all of the above and more under the attractive packaging -- Promise Keepers!

Fundamental, Bible-believing pastor, you must take a stand against this or you will be taken down by it. The machinery is coming into place for this movement to have a continuing influence on its Promise Keepers for years to come. Should you be forced into the program now, dear brother, you will be battling its impact for the duration.

A closing word about those who say, "Why not just emphasize the good things in Promise Keepers?" Such an argument sounds reasonable until you consider the very serious doctrinal errors involved. When a deadly poison is discovered in a popular medicine, no one insists on emphasizing the good ingredients; every one insists on identifying and warning about the poison. When meat or other food is found to be contaminated, the concern is not about the beneficial substances involved, but rather the giving of strong warnings as to the nature, source, and elimination of the contamination. Spiritual poison and contamination (error) are even more dangerous since they affect the eternal welfare of individuals and the reward or loss of reward for believers (1 Cor. 3:9-15; 2 Jn. 8; Rev. 3:8-11).

As far as naming names is concerned, this also is frowned upon by most believers today. Yet, the Lord Jesus Christ (who is the very personification of love) issued some of the strongest warnings and rebukes ever given to the false teachers of His day. Read Matthew chapter 23 and pay careful attention to the words our Saviour used concerning the Scribes and Pharisees. Notice His instruction to "call no man father" upon earth (v. 9), and also the particular words He used forbidding repetitious prayer (Matt. 6:7). Both of these are disobeyed by Roman Catholics. And, mark well the warning of Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." And, what about Peter, one of the three disciples who were closest to Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry? Was Christ's rebuke of Peter before the other disciples unnecessary and unloving (Matt. 16:21-23)? And, look carefully at the experience of Peter who learned the hard way about the disaster of claiming to be a promise keeper in his own strength (Mark 14:26-42).

Furthermore, the apostle Paul, one of the greatest Bible teachers, pastors, evangelists and missionaries of his day spent three years warning the Ephesian elders about the wolves (false teachers) who would enter into the flock from without; and a similar warning about those who would arise from within the church who would desire to "draw away disciples after themselves" (please read Acts 20:17-32). Likewise both Paul and the other apostles, writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, did not hesitate to mention names. Notice how often they rebuked by name those who were disobedient to the Word of God. 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 4:10, 14; 3 John 9. We must follow their example and obey God rather than to trust the promises of any man.

Promise Keepers is dangerous, but please do not forget that these words of warning are an effort to "speak the truth in love," praying always that God will help those affected to see this.

The Promise Keepers Movement is Dangerous -- Watch Out For It!

By M. H. Reynolds, Editor, Foundation magazine

Foundation, Vol. XVI, Issue 1

Fundamental Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 6278, Los Osos, CA 93412

(805) 528-3534 (voice)

"Separation" APPLIED THE FUNDAMENTALIST IS NOT TRYING TO BE UNLOVING, SCHISMATIC OR EXCLUSIVE.   HE SIMPLY SEEKS TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE LORD AND HIS WORD ABOVE ALL ELSE! The Principle of Biblical Separation The Biblical doctrine of separation is based on one of God's essential attributes -- HIS HOLINESS. He never looks upon sin with the least degree of tolerance, and this necessarily extends to His will concerning the conduct of His children.   As be- lievers, we are called unto fellowship with God who "(5)...is light, and in him is no darkness at all.   (6)If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:" I John 1:5, 6.   Therefore, there is an absolute necessity for separation from whatever is "darkness;" that is, whatever is in direct opposition to His very nature.   The will of God for the saint is always the same: "(15)...be ye holy in all manner of conver- sation; (16)Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."   I Peter 1:15, 16.

Most believers agree that the Bible teaches the principle of separation -- but comparatively few seem concerned about the need for its personal application.   This is especially true when our fellowships and associations are examined.   All too often, the things we feel are most loving, expedient or non-divisive determine what we con- sider to be God's will in any given situation.   But this is a grievous error if the result of such reasoning is contrary to the plain teaching of the Word of God.   We would do well to carefully consider what the Bible teaches about "separation," and then direct our walk accordingly! The believer's separation from evil and every false way is always God's order.   We were called to be separated unto Christ and declared positionally sanctified "in [H]im" the moment we believed and were saved.   In our Christian lives we are admon- ished to walk in a sanctified, separated manner which is worthy of our "...high calling of God in Christ Jesus."   And when our Lord comes back again and catches away His Bride, we will be partakers of that great, final separation! Yes, indeed, separation is a precious Biblical truth -- past, present and future! The Practice of Biblical Separation Although the doctrine of separation is a dominant theme throughout the Scriptures, the difficulty comes, as mentioned before, in its application. The prohibition of participation in, and even identification with, blatant godlessness and unbe- lief is readily accepted as a Biblical imperative. Yet, at the same time, many Christians find it more of a problem to understand why we are also com- manded by God to have NO FELLOWSHIP with ANYONE or ANYTHING disobedient to the Word of God, even if this means we must separate from errant fellow believers and compromised Christian organizations and ministries.   God's directive for the believer in respect to evil is the same whether the leaven is found outside (Luke 12:1) or within (I Corinthians 5:6-8) the [local] Church. The first aspect of this doctrine is separation from the evil of the world, and from all unbelieving individuals and organizations.   II Corinthians 6:14-18 plainly states that the believer must not be "unequally yoked together [fellowship, associ-

ation or identification] with unbelievers...," but is to "come out from among them, and be ye separate[.]"   A fundamentalist must never join with any man or organization where those represented are not clear in their testimony of the new birth, or their strict adherence to the truth of the Word of God.   Any common religious or spiritual endeavor (worship, evangelism, prayer, education, relief, etc.) would be in direct conflict with this Biblical commandment.   Such activities, when undertaken, identify Christians with the liberal, apostate position of unbelievers. Our responsibility, however, does not stop there. Ephesians 5:11 commands us to "have no fel- lowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."   We must not only separate from all groups riddled with unbelief, such as the National and World Councils of Churches, but we must also vehemently sound a warning to other believers who might be drawn subtly into complicity with the ecumenical apos- tasy.   False religious leaders may present an amiable and pious exterior, but our duty is still to expose and oppose their unbiblical practices which deceive the unwary.   I Timothy 6:3-5 and II Timothy 3:5. A heretic who denies Bible truth is to be rejected, not embraced! Titus 3:10.   A Bible believer must not find himself in common cause with such individuals, whether it is by ecclesiastical affiliation, or by any form of joint ministry or worship.   The clear call is for everyone who names the Name of Christ to separate himself from every dishonorable vessel, that is, those who have turned away from the truth of the infallible Word.   Only then will the believer be a vessel "meet [worthy] for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."   Only then will he have fellow- ship "with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."   A believer cannot be in fellowship with the apostasy and with the Lord at the same time! Read carefully II Timothy 2:19-22. Withdrawal from counterfeit, apostate Christi- anity, however, is not the only application of this doctrine.   Separation from disobedient brethren is also a Biblical imperative!   It is precisely at this point that many believers turn away from the plain teaching of God's Word and substitute their own faulty reasoning.   Today, there is an abun- dance of disobedient brethren who are so desig-

nated by the Word of God because of their refusal to separate from false teachers and apostate affili- ations as previously mentioned.   For them, the de- sire for visible unity, respectability, popularity or success, or the avoidance of appearing to be "schis- matic" or "too negative" takes precedence over simple obedience to the Bible.   They may even seek to justify their disobedience on the basis of love or opportunities to witness.   But it is still disobedience, and God says we are not to walk in fellowship with disobedient brethren.   We are to separate from them.   II Thessalonians 3:6, 14 and 15.   There is no such thing as so-called "first and second degree separation," just BIBLICAL separation! There are, for example, many brethren in the National Association of Evangelicals who say and do many commendable things.   But no matter how much "good" may appear to be accomplished, the fact does not change that by their very associ- ation with this middle-of-the-road organization they are repudiating Biblical separation.   Refusing to obey the call to be separate is SIN -- whether it involves failure to separate from a false teacher or a disobedient brother.   Compromised "evan- gelical" organizations like the NAE may present an impressive outward display of numbers and strength, but it is not a Scriptural unity.   It cannot be pleasing to God when there is not, first of all, an agreement on -- and then practice of -- the TRUTH!   Amos 3:3. Romans 16:17 commands us to "mark them [point them out] which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."   The fundamentalist (who, by definition, is one who practices Biblical separation) is not the one who causes divisions between be- lievers.   Divisions are caused by the brother who does not practice sound doctrine -- the doctrine of separation is no exception -- and the fundamen- talist is required to separate from him.   The funda- mentalist is not trying to be unloving, schismatic or exclusive.   He simply seeks to be obedient to the Lord and His Word ABOVE ALL ELSE! The Purpose of Biblical Separation There are at least four reasons why separation from disobedient brethren is required by God.   First,

this type of discipline is necessary in the local church fellowship in order to maintain church purity.   I Corinthians, Chapter 5 presents a case in point.   That church was charged "not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother [whether he is saved or not is not the issue of con- sideration - he bears the name "Christian"] be a fornicator, or covetous...with such an one no not to eat."   Verse 11.   The individual spoken of here is disciplined by the church, and is no longer permitted to fellowship in the ongoing ministry of the local assembly.   If sin is allowed to remain unconfessed and unforsaken in the Christian fellow- ship, its corrupting influence will affect others. Verses 5-7.   God has ordained separation to stem the leavening effect of sin in compromised fellow- ships. Second, separation from a disobedient brother is for his spiritual well-being.   Unless the standard of God's Word is raised before the erring brother, he may continue in his sin unrebuked.   II Thessa- lonians 3:6 commands, "withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."   The context reveals that laziness is not the only basis for determining disobedience.   Any believer who is unfaithful to "the tradition" (ALL the Scripture that was given to the [local] Church) was also considered to be disobedient (cf. II Thessalonians 2:15). Disobedience to the Word of God is the determining factor.   Separation will have the effect of making that brother or sister "ashamed."   II Thessalonians 3:14.   That one is not an enemy, nor should he be treated as such.   He is an erring brother (verse 15), and the desired result of separation is his repentance and restitution to full fellowship with the brethren.   This should be the attitude of every fundamentalist -- to lovingly raise a Biblical standard by way of separation so that the erring saint will realize his disobedience, repent and return to right fellowship. The third reason for practicing Biblical separation is the desire for a "full reward" (II John 8) at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.   The believer is "not crowned [rewarded], except he strive law- fully."   II Timothy 2:5.   It will be possible for a dis- obedient Christian to lose reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ because of compromised fellowship, either directly or by identification (II John 10-11 cf. I Corinthians 3:13-15; Revelation 3:11).

Make no mistake about it, when a believer is identi- fied with any religious activity which is not true to God's Word, he will receive the disapproval of God the Father.   Our God is a jealous God. He wants our undivided loyalty!   He is not pleased when His children are identified, even in the slightest, with com- promise or error.   Such double-mindedness prevents our fellowship with Him.   I Corinthians 10:16-22.   Therefore, the support of a mass cam- paign to reach lost souls may seem most noble. But, if disobedient, new evangelical brethren are in the endeavor, the supposed results can never justify the com- promised fellowship.   God will never suspend the requirement for separation in order to accomplish ANY worthwhile cause -- even evangelism.   That simply is not the way God works.   He always leads according to His Word, the Bible. Finally, separation from disobedient brethren is necessary in order to maintain a strong, consistent testimony in the midst of theological turmoil and confusion.   COMPROMISED FELLOWSHIP CLOUDS THE ISSUES, DULLS THE SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT AND SILENCES SCRIPTURAL REPROOF!   "Be not deceived: evil communi- cations [wrong fellowships] corrupt good manners [right conduct]."   I Corinthians 15:33.   Only a separated Bible believer is able, in obedience to God's clear command, to sound a faithful warning concerning the deception that Satan is sowing in the [local] Church today (Acts 20:28-31).   Always remember that our God is HOLY, and He calls us to be holy!   In order to be obedient to His command, we must endeavor, by the grace of God, to be separated WHOLLY unto Him, REGARDLESS OF THE COST! -- Dennis W. Costella

"SIGNS" of His Coming WHAT "SIGNS" WILL PRECEDE the          return of our Lord Jesus Christ?   This theme is a very popular one today among Christians.   Well known Bible teachers have gained large followings by setting a date for Christ's return.   Some point out political, economic, religious and earthly develop- ments that, they say, must occur before the Lord's return to catch away His [saints]. They refer to passages in the Bible that appear to support their claims.   The Word of God, however, presents the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ--He could come at this very moment!   No calamitous phenomenon on earth or in the heavens, no political, religious or economic develop- ments, no Scriptural prophecies need to be fulfilled before Jesus Christ can return for His Bride (Jn. 14:1-6; Eph. 5:23-32).    Why, then, is there confusion on this subject?   It is simply this: there is not a proper delineation between the time preceding the Lord's return in the air for the saints and the time preceding His return to the earth with the saints to inaugurate His Millennial Kingdom.   These two events have great dispensational significance and must be kept separate.   Any signs mentioned in the Scriptures as preceding "the Lord's return" must be placed in the correct context and dispensa- tional setting.   The order of prophetic events yet future is as follows:    1) The "latter times" or the last days        of the Church Age (today).    2) The return of the Lord Jesus        Christ for His Bride--the Rapture

of the [saints] (1 Thess. 4:13-18).    3) The seven year Tribulation period        on earth (Rev. 4-19); the "Seventi-        eth Week of Daniel" (Dan. 9:24-        27); the "latter days" for Israel        (Jer. 30:22-24).    4) The return of the Lord "with        power and great glory" to estab-        lish His Millennial earthly reign        (Matt. 24:29,30; Rev. 20).    The believer today lives in the "latter times[,]" the "last days," the Apostles referred to in addressing the Church.   The portions of Scripture that describe this period of time must, therefore, apply to the believer in this dispensation.   Biblical texts that meet this qualification are: 1 Timothy 4:1- 5, 2 Timothy 3:1-9,13; 2 Timothy 4:3-4, and 2 Peter 3:3,4.   A study of these texts reveals the characteristics and attitudes that will prevail in the days immediately before the Rapture.   These prophesied "last days" for the [local] Church will be marked by apostasy, seduction by false spirits, unnatural affection, pride, treachery, sensuality and skepticism, to name only a few.   Read these texts carefully.    This is the condition of the world at this very moment!   The believer in this Church Age is never instructed to look for signs that will precede the Lord's return. We are to look for Him!   This has been the Blessed Hope of every born-again believer in this dispensation (Titus 2:13).   There are no signs that must appear before the Lord can return for the [saints].   All is ready.   The character of the last days of this Church Age is at this moment abundantly evident.    The disciples of Christ were well- aware of the literal, earthly reign of the promised Messiah (as plainly prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures).   The Church

Age and the Rapture were not taught in the Old Testament and they could not, there- fore, be inquiring about doctrines that had not yet been revealed by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in Matthew 24:3, they requested of the Lord, "Tell us...what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world[.]"   They desired to know what mani- festations would precede His coming as their promised King to set up the promised kingdom on earth.   The disciples did not have the Rapture in mind when question- ing the Lord; they were only concerned about what would transpire before His return to reign.   The Lord detailed the seven-year Tribulation period that would set the stage for His return "with power and great glory" to inaugurate His Millennial reign in fulfillment of promises made to the patriarchs (Matt. 24:29-30).    The twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew is often erroneously used to describe the scene before the Lord's return in the air for His [saints].   For example, some say that Christ's return is not imminent because the "gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world...then shall the end come" (vs. 14) before His return. Therefore, they say that universal evangeli- zation is a prerequisite to the Rapture of the [saints].   The context of Matthew 24 reveals that this universal proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom (see also Rev. 14:6-8) will occur during the Tribulation, not during the Church Age.   It is pro- claimed in all the world by God's miracu- lous means, not by the church [saints] which [are] in Heaven.   This Gospel of the Kingdom is the message of the coming King and the pending judgment upon all who fail to trust in Him.   This world evangelization will take place after the Rapture!

There will be, however, signs that Israel is to look for during the seven year Tribulation following the Rapture.   The Church [saints are] then in Heaven.   God will, at this time, deal with Israel again in judgment.   It will be a terrible ordeal for Jew and Gentile alike.   During this time, Israel is tried and refined in preparation for the return of the King of kings who will rule the earth from Jerusalem -- "the city of the great King" (Matt. 5:35).   A few other signs for Israel during this time (many more could be cited from companion texts) are: False christs and prophets who will deceive many (Matt. 24:5, 11). Wars and rumors of wars (vs. 6). Political turmoil, famine, disease and earthquakes (vs. 7). Martyrdom, betrayals within families (vss. 9, 10). The regathering of elect Israel (a believing remnant) from the four corners of the earth (vs. 31). Days like unto the days of Noah (vss. 37-39). A ten nation confederacy of the revived Roman Empire (Dan. 2; Rev. 13). Construction of the temple in Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26, 27). Visible, physical signs in the earth, sun, moon and stars (Lk. 21:25; Joel 2:30, 31). Men's hearts failing them for fear (Lk. 21:26).    What do these signs precede?   They pave the way for the coming of the Lord in "power and great glory" to redeem a purified Israel and to usher in His Millennial Kingdom upon the earth (Lk. 21:27, 28; Matt. 24:27, 30, 42).

Today, many of the previously mentioned "signs" are evidenced in one degree or another (they will be literally, fully manifested during the Tribulation just as they are described in Scripture).   This can only mean that the stage is rapidly being set today for the final fulfillment of each of these prophesied signs given by the Lord to His disciples.   If the Great Tribula- tion is, therefore, looming on the horizon, then the catching away of the [saints] before that time must be near, indeed!    Nothing must come to pass before the Lord can return "in the air" to receive the [saints] of Christ unto Himself.   To believe otherwise is to be shaken from the blessed hope God has given His Church.   The believers in the Thessalonian church were troubled by false teachers who taught that they had somehow missed the Rapture (2 Thess. 2:1-3).   The severe trials and tribula- tions they were experiencing made them wonder if they were at that very time in the midst of the Great Tribulation--the "day of the Lord"--of which the Old Testament prophesied (1 Thess. 5:1, 2 cf. Amos 5:16- 20; Joel 2:1-11; Zeph. 1-7, 14-18; etc.).    The apostle then proceeded to explain future events and how they affect the believer.   That day, the "day of Christ" (2 Thess. 2 cf. Rev. 6:16), will not come until two things happen.   First, the Antichrist will be revealed and second, the great "falling away" (2 Thess. 2:3 cf. 2:8-12) will take place when all the world will be deceived by the beast and the false prophet (Rev. 13:3- 14).   The revelation of the Wicked one (the Antichrist) and the events surrounding the "time of Jacob's trouble" take place after the Rapture, but before the full manifesta- tion of the great and terrible Day of the Lord that will culminate when Christ

returns to destroy the wicked.   We are not to watch for supernatural signs, nor the Antichrist.   We, like the early Church was instructed, are to be looking for our Lord!    The lukewarm, Laodicean spirit that the Bible sets forth as characteristic of the "last days" is readily apparent.   Our Lord's return is imminent -- He could come back today to catch away every true believer. That was the "blessed hope" of the early church (the Epistles are full of admonitions to watch for the Lord's imminent return), and it has been the glorious expectation of the Christian in every generation since the time of the apostles.   The saint who daily watches for his Lord's return is not ill- equipped to face hardship and tribulation as the opponents of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture position suggest.   He is, on the contrary, truly prepared to do the Lord's work of reaching the lost for Christ, walking in the Spirit and earnestly con- tending for the faith.   The prospect of the Lord's immediate return fosters this kind of circumspect walk (1 Jn. 2:28-3:3).    When the Rapture is not the believer's daily expectation and joy, then there will inevitably be a tendency to become caught up in programs and causes that are foreign to the church's calling and mission. "Kingdom building," "Dominion Theol- ogy," or even "digging-in" in an attempt to weather the coming Tribulation are not instructions left the [local] Church.    Watch!   Work!   Witness!   (1 Tim. 6:14). "it is high time to awake...for now is our salvation [our deliverance from coming wrath] nearer than when we believed" (Rom. 13:11).   May we say with the apostle, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." q -- Dennis W. Costella Fundamental Evangelistic Assn., P. O. Box 6278, Los Osos, CA 93412

The Truth About Roman Catholicism THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH is by far the      largest and wealthiest of all the so-called "Chris- tian Denominations."   It has consistently claimed to be the only true Church--the Church which was founded by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. In addition, especially in this generation, it has embellished its image and attracted and held mem- bers by the claim that it is the one Church which has never changed.   All of these claims are false.   How- ever, in recent years, the Roman Catholic Church has done a complete about-face, actually boasting of the many changes it has instituted to meet the changing needs of Catholics and non-Catholics alike in this modern age.    Is the Roman Catholic Church the one true Church?   Are its past and present teachings and practices Scriptural?   How has the Roman Catholic Church changed through the centuries?   How much has it changed in our lifetime?   Have these changes been basic or superficial?   Where is the Roman Catho- lic Church headed?    The purpose of this article is to turn the spot- light of truth upon Roman Catholicism both as to its past history and present teachings.   Our sincere desire is to be of help to Catholics, many of whom are well aware that, in recent years, their church has been instituting many changes, most of which have left them confused, uncertain, and deeply troubled. For the first time in their lives, many Catholics are raising serious questions about their Church, its leaders, its teachings and its practices.   They now realize that their church is not united but divided over issues such as birth control, abortion, divorce, celibacy for priests, women clergy, gay clergy, Papal

infallibility, prayer, worship, music, purgatory, con- fession and even the meaning of the Mass.   The moral degeneracy and financial scandals which have rocked the Charismatic movement have also been exposed in the Roman Catholic Church, all the way from the Vatican to the local parish.   Confusion reigns supreme and Catholics who take their reli- gion seriously don't know which way to turn.    A source of further confusion for many is the fact that for centuries Roman Catholics were taught that all those outside its membership were heretics to be shunned, persecuted or even killed.   It was not until the middle of this century that the Roman Catholic Church modified and softened its stand by first calling non-Catholics, "separated brethren." More recently, even that negative connotation has been eliminated so that today, Catholics are to consider "all Christians" to be "brothers and sisters in Christ."    However, these changed outward attitudes on the part of Roman Catholics toward non-Catholics, and their increasing usage of evangelical terminol- ogy, has unfortunately resulted in many evangelicals mistakenly believing that the basic false doctrines and heresies of Romanism have changed, some- thing that simply is not true.   Thus, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike should take a fresh look-- a Biblical, historical and current look--at this larg- est supposedly Christian denomination in the world. If it is the one true Church as it claims to be, then every believer in Christ should become a part of it. But, if it is and always has been a false church, then all who truly believe the Bible and trust Jesus Christ as Saviour will separate from it, warn about it, and urge others to do likewise.    Through our extensive radio and literature ministries, it has been a great blessing to hear from many former Roman Catholics who have been deliv- ered from the bondage of the false doctrines of Romanism; who have experienced the new birth by faith in Jesus Christ alone; and who are doing their best to reach their Catholic loved ones and friends with the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the same time, it has been a real heartache to realize that so many non Roman Catholics who

profess to know Christ as Saviour, have been de- ceived by the new attitudes and vocabulary of Ca- tholicism so that the Roman Catholic Church is now being accepted by many evangelicals as a sister church with only minor differences rather than the false church which it actually is.    The Truth About the Roman Catholic Church is that it always has been and continues to be a false church.   Those Biblical doctrines it professes to believe and teach are vitiated by Roman Catholic dogma based upon tradition which contradicts God's holy, infallible Word, the Bible.   Error is never more deceptive than when it is presented with a veneer of truth.   Throughout its entire history, Roman Catho- lic leaders fit the description of the false teachers who God warned in advance would come on the scene in the last days, deceiving many by their "feigned" (pretended or hypocritical) words--their "great swelling words of vanity," as described in 1 Peter 2:1-3, 18, 19.    Before examining and refuting some of the well known false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, it is essential to understand that two basis false teachings of Roman Catholicism (even apart from its many other errors), clearly classify it as a religious cult rather than a true church.   These two basic errors are:    First--Roman Catholicism, although teach- ing that the Bible is the Word of God, adds the spurious apocryphal books to the Scriptures, and also elevates church tradition and the edicts of popes and councils (the words of men), to the same or an even greater level of authority than the Word of God.   This amounts to adding to the Word of God, thereby placing Roman Catholicism under God's curse.   Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18, 19.    Second--Roman Catholicism, although teach- ing that faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salva- tion, actually denies the truth of the Gospel by adding sacraments, good works, and purgatory as additional requirements for forgiveness of sin and eternal life.   This amounts to the [t]eaching of a false gospel which places the Roman Catholic Church under God's curse.   Gal. 1:6-10.    Thus, by Scriptural standards, the Roman

Catholic Church is a false church which can only expect God's judgment, not a true church which can claim God's blessing.   No amount of outward change should be permitted to obscure this fact.    As for the claims of the Roman Catholic Church that its history can be traced back to Jesus Christ, Peter, or the other apostles, such claims lack both historical and Scriptural support.   The true Church of Jesus Christ was not founded upon Peter, but upon Peter's confession of Christ's deity as recorded in Matthew 16:16: "...Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."   Peter was not the first pope nor is there any Scriptural justification whatever for such an office.   Peter's own inspired testimony as to his position and ministry is given in 1 Peter 5:1-4.   He further identifies himself in 2 Peter 1:1 as "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ...."   History confirms the fact that there were no popes in the early church nor even in the Roman Catholic Church during the first centuries of its existence.    Furthermore, the long-held claim that the Roman Catholic Church was the only church which never changed is not supported by church history-- not even Roman Catholic history.   How sad to realize that this false claim influenced so many to join or to stay in this false church which actually is the prod- uct of centuries of changes.   Most of these changes came as a result of yielding to heathen customs and practices which were subsequently incorporated into Roman Catholic teachings and worship.   The following is a partial list of heathen, unscriptural practices which became a part of Roman Catholic dogma over a period of seventeen centuries.   Some of the dates given are approximate.   In many cases, these heresies were even debated for years before being given the status of required beliefs: Prayers for the dead .. 300 A.D. Making the sign of the cross .. 300 A.D. Veneration of angels & dead saints .... 375 A.D. Use of images in worship ................... 375 A.D. The Mass as a daily celebration .. 394 A.D. Beginning of the exaltation of Mary; the     term, "Mother of God" applied at     Council of Ephesus .. 431 A.D.

Extreme Unction (Last Rites) .. 526 A.D. Doctrine of Purgatory--Gregory I .. 593 A.D. Prayers to Mary & dead saints .. 600 A.D. Worship of cross, images & relics ...... 786 A.D. Canonization of dead saints .. 995 A.D. Celibacy of priesthood .. 1079 A.D. The Rosary .. 1090 A.D. Indulgences .. 1190 A.D. Transubstantiation--Innocent III ..... 1215 A.D. Auricular Confession of sins     to a priest .. 1215 A.D. Adoration of the wafer (Host) .. 1220 A.D. Cup forbidden to the people at     communion .. 1414 A.D. Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma ... 1439 A.D. The doctrine of the Seven     Sacraments confirmed .. 1439 A.D. Tradition declared of equal authority     with Bible by Council of Trent ... 1545 A.D. Apocryphal books added to Bible ..... 1546 A.D. Immaculate Conception of Mary ..... 1854 A.D. Infallibility of the pope in matters     of faith and morals, proclaimed     by the Vatican Council .. 1870 A.D. Assumption of the Virgin Mary     (bodily ascension into heaven     shortly after her death) .. 1950 A.D. Mary proclaimed Mother of     the Church .. 1965 A.D.    Although some of the preceding Roman Catholic heresies are now being questioned by many, both inside and outside the church, none have been officially repudiated and all continue to be practiced by millions of Catholics around the world.   The urgent need today is for Roman Catholics; yes, and all who claim to be Christians, to examine their own beliefs and the teachings of their churches by the only sure standard--the Bible.   Whatever contra- dicts, adds to or subtracts from the sixty-six books of the Old and the New Testaments, is error no matter how many may cling to it.    Roman Catholics who read the Bible will soon discover that many Catholic teachings and practices are specifically forbidden by Jesus Christ Himself.

Note carefully the following warnings given by the Lord Jesus Christ to the religious leaders of His day concerning vain worship, vain tradition and vain repetitions.   All of these are particularly applicable to Roman Catholicism today.    Vain Worship--In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus said, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.   But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." All worship is indeed vain when it is based upon the commandments of men rather than the Word of God.    Vain Tradition--In Matthew 15:6b, Jesus said, "Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition."    (Note): Valid tradition is based upon Scripture and confirms it.   Vain tradition is based upon man's teachings and violates it.   In Roman Catholicism, tradition is consistently elevated above the Scrip- ture which results in vain worship (no matter how sincere) and makes the commandment of God of no effect--a very serious matter.    Vain Repetitions--In Matthew 6:7, Jesus said, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."   A basic part of Roman Catholic worship is the frequent repetition of The Rosary whose origin is clearly tied to heathen reli- gions such as Hinduism, Isl_m, and Buddhism. Roman Catholics should listen to the words of Christ forbidding vain repetitions, rather than us- ing the vain repetitions of Catholicism.    During the past forty years, at least three important trends in the Roman Catholic Church are clearly observable.   These are: (1) A greater emphasis upon the place of Mary.   (2) A major emphasis upon ecumenical activities with a view to seeking the full visible unity of all religions.   (3) The acceptance of the so-called Charismatic renewal within the Church with new emphasis upon the claimed "ministry of the Holy Spirit."   There is every reason to believe that all of these major trends will continue and increase; and, all of them are very deceptive, very dangerous, very unscriptural.

The place accorded Mary in the Roman Catho- lic Church is not Scriptural nor is it new, but it cannot be denied that, during the last one hundred years, veneration of Mary has dramatically increased. Note in the historical chart given earlier in this article that the exaltation of Mary and the term, Mother of God, became official Catholic dogma in 431 A.D. with prayers to her proclaimed in 600 A.D. But, note also that the "Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary" was not proclaimed until 1854; her "Assumption" not until 1950; and her title "Mother of the Church" not until as recently as 1965.    Some Roman Catholic observers believe it may not be much longer until Mary is officially proclaimed "Co- redemptrix with Christ."   In fact, the premier issue of a new Roman Catholic publica- tion, Catholic Heritage (Vol. 1, No. 1, Sept.--Oct. 1991) has the front page title: "Mary, Mother of the Church," and, in a Question and Answer column, the question is asked, "At the foot of the cross, Mary shared in the mystery of the passion.   True or False? Answer: True.   Mary united her sorrows to those of her Son.   The sorrowful and immaculate heart of Mary bled with her Son for all of mankind.   For this reason, we invoke her under the title of Co- redemptrix."    All of the popes during the past thirty years have done their part to increase the influence of Mary in the Roman Catholic Church based com- pletely on tradition rather than upon the Bible.   In the August 28, 1975 issue of the official Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Paul VI, speaking of the ceremony celebrated the day before in St. Peter's in honor of the Madonna at the Feast of the Assumption of Mary said, "Her venerated image, known as ‘Salus Populi Romani,’ was carried in procession from St. Mary Major's as part of the Holy Year ceremonies, so that the overflow crowd of pilgrims, coming from all parts of the world, could see it and thus increase their devotion to her.   In this way we should all be reminded of the meaning and practice of the cult of Mary, inseparable from the unique and central cult of Christ ... Let us pray to her with humble, trusting and childlike faith."    Did you know that the present pope, John Paul

II, has dedicated himself completely to Mary?   In 1985, during his visit to Vancouver, B.C., the special souvenir edition of B.C. Catholic carried a full page color photo of the pope under the caption, Totus Tuus which, in Latin, means "all yours."   The follow- ing explanation was given, "When Karol Wojtyla was consecrated bishop of Cracow by Pius XII in 1958 he took, ‘Totus Tuus’ (all yours) as his motto, thus presenting himself to Mary.   In his first Urbi et Orbi message immediately after being elected pope he said, ‘At this difficult hour, full of fear, we must turn our thoughts with filial devotion to the Virgin Mary who always lives in the midst of Christ and exists as his mother.   We must repeat the words, Totus Tuus which 20 years ago were inscribed into our heart and soul.’"    Pope John Paul II has visited many of the major Shrines to Mary.   He attributed his escape from death at the hands of a would-be assassin and the overthrow of communism in Eastern Europe to the intervention of Mary.   Millions of Catholics are making pilgrimages to the various Marian shrines, seeking and often claiming miracles of healing and answers to their prayers to Mary.   New apparitions of Mary and special messages from her are being claimed in various parts of the world.   Yet, there is absolutely no Scriptural foundation for any of these beliefs or practices.   Mary was indeed a virgin (pure sexually) so that she could fulfill the Old Testament prophecy that Christ would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14).   She was a godly woman, but not sinless.   As with all true believers in Christ, when Mary died, her soul and spirit went to Heaven, but her body awaits the resurrection; she did not bodily ascend to Heaven as did Jesus Christ.   Nothing in Scripture indicates that prayers were ever offered to Mary nor that she was worshipped by anyone.   Most of Roman Catholic teaching concerning Mary is based entirely on hu- man tradition and contradicts the Bible, the Word of God.    The present ecumenical emphasis and activi- ties of the Roman Catholic Church are also of recent origin.   When Vatican Council I was held in 1869- 1870, the invitation of the pope to the Orthodox Churches to participate was refused; and, his public

appeal to "Protestants and all non-Catholics" to "return to the only true fold" received resentful refusals.   However, in the intervening years it be- came increasingly obvious to the Roman Catholic hierarchy that their church needed some serious updating, particularly with regard to relationships with other churches.   In 1960, Pope John XXIII established the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity; and, in 1962, he convoked Vatican Council II which he called "An ecumenical council for the universal church."    Less than a year later, Pope John XXIII died, but his successor, Pope Paul VI, who had attended four sessions of Vatican II before becoming pope, did everything possible to continue and expand the ecumenical emphasis.   His expressed position was that the Roman Catholic Church could best demon- strate the validity of its teaching, not by condemna- tion or severity, but with the "medicine of mercy." His emphasis was upon "working for the full visible unity in truth among all Christians" and that this unity should extend also to non-Christians.   This new approach of Vatican II was successful in gaining the co-operation of the major Orthodox Church bodies as well as 38 delegated observers from almost all the major Protestant denominations.   Of course, Pope John Paul II has expanded the ecumenical emphasis in the Roman Catholic Church to unprec- edented heights.   While this has received high praise from religious leaders and denominations, the kind of unity sought by the Roman Catholic Church is contrary to the Bible.   All unity purchased at the expense of doctrinal purity is satanic and deceptive. 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 3:1-17; 4:1-8.   All who join hands in ecumenical fellowship with those who preach a false Gospel are under God's curse. Gal. 1:6-10.    The Roman Catholic Church was infiltrated by the false teachings and unscriptural practices of the Charismatic Movement in the early 1960's.   Its influ- ence within Roman Catholicism is growing rapidly. As always, the devil has a very clever way of com- pounding error while giving the results a more respectable appearance.   Space limitations prevent a more comprehensive consideration of its past and

present approaches but we have prepared other articles providing important details to all who might be interested in knowing why the Charismatic Move- ment and its teachings are so deceptive and danger- ous.   Once this movement became entrenched in the Roman Catholic Church, RCC leaders were quick to see that it would be to their advantage to encourage these teachings rather than to oppose them.   They discovered that they could use the Charismatic doctrines and practices to help build the Roman Catholic Church by considering it a logical and needed "renewal movement within the church."   An added factor was that those who had supposedly experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit felt a greater love and respect than ever for the Roman Catholic Church, including the Mass, the other sacraments, the veneration of Mary and all the other false teachings of Roman Catholicism.   Many people are attracted to the displays of healings, miracles, and other supposed demonstrations of Holy Spirit presence and power, not realizing that if this were a true ministry of the Holy Spirit it would lead them to a recognition and repudiation of the false teach- ings of Roman Catholicism.   The Charismatic Move- ment, both within and outside of the Roman Catho- lic Church is not a movement of the Holy Spirit, but of a false spirit.   John 16:7-14; 2 Cor. 11:13-15.    Adding to the religious confusion of our day is the inconsistent, compromising position taken by the world's two outstanding evangelical leaders, Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Bill Bright.   Both of these men now praise and work with ecumenical apostates, charismatic deceivers and Roman Catholics which represents a complete reversal of their original, Biblical positions.   Both are widely respected and have charming personalities, but their present will- ingness to work with anybody who "calls Jesus, Lord" completely ignores the warning Christ gave in Matthew 7:21-23.   Billy Graham now sends Catho- lics who make "decisions" in his crusades back to the Roman Catholic Church with no warning of the false gospel it preaches.   Bill Bright even has Roman Catholics on his Campus Crusade staff.   Both men thus disobey the Bible.    What about the Mass which lies at the very

heart of Roman Catholic theology and worship?   Is its observance based upon Scripture or Catholic tradition?   What does Roman Catholicism teach as to its meaning and importance?    The Baltimore Catechism says: "It is a mortal sin not to hear Mass on a Sunday or a holyday of obligation, unless we are excused for a serious rea- son.   They also commit mortal sin who, having others under their charge, hinder them from hear- ing Mass without a sufficient reason."    The Creed of pope Pius IV, an official creed of the Roman Catholic Church says, "I profess that in the Mass is offered to God a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice (that is, a sacrifice which sat- isfies the justice of God and so offsets the penalty for sin) for the living and for the dead; and that in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist there is truly, really, and substantially, the body and blood, to- gether with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that there is a conversion of the whole substance of the bread into the body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the blood, which the Catholic Church calls Transubstantiation."    The Council of Trent declared: "The sacrifice (in the Mass) is identical with the sacrifice of the Cross, in as much as Jesus Christ is a priest and victim both.   The only difference lies in the manner of the offering, which is bloody upon the cross and bloodless on our altars"; and, in Canon I stated: "Whosoever shall deny that in the most holy sacra- ment of the Eucharist there are truly, really, and substantially contained the body and the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with his soul and divinity, and consequently Christ entire, but shall affirm that he is present therein only in a sign and figure, or by his power, let him be accursed."    But what does the Bible say concerning the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the Cross?   Hebrews 10:10-14, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.   And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From

henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.   For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."    What a difference there is between what the Bible teaches and what Roman Catholicism believes and teaches regarding the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross!   The supposed continual offering up of Christ by the priests negates His finished work on the Cross.   The Bible says, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."   1 Peter 3:18.    Roman Catholicism makes salvation a long, complicated process with no assurance of eternal life and forgiveness of all sin; to faith in Jesus Christ is added Baptism, the Mass, Confession, prayers to Mary and the Saints, good works, and purgatory.   By contrast the Bible teaches salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by sacraments, prayers or works. Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 2:13.   Bible salvation is God's free gift to any sinner who believes with the heart that Christ died for his sins and rose again for his justi- fication.   1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10:9-13.   Bible salvation gives immediate assurance of eternal life.   1 John 5:10-13.   Carefully read and believe John 1:12; 3:16- 18; 3:36; 5:24; 14:1-6; 20:30, 31.   No church ever saved anyone, but Christ can and will save everyone who will come and trust Him as their Saviour.   Acts 4:12; John 6:37; 10:27-30.   Trust Christ today and be saved for all eternity!       q [by M.H. Reynolds, reprinted from FOUNDATION magazine, Vol. XIII, Issue 1] Fundamental Evangelistic Association P. O. Box 6278 -- Los Osos, California 93412

οικουmεnε THE TRUTH ABOUT THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES by Pastor M. H. Reynolds "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES?"   This catchy question is also the title of a 1978 publication of the WCC.   It is an obvious attempt to answer some of the vital questions and criticisms which are being raised by those who love Jesus Christ and who value our cherished American freedoms.   However, far from answering such questions and complaints, a discerning reader will discover that the WCC actually confirms the charges of doctrinal deviations and political radicalism. This leaflet is written to provide factual, up-to-date in- formation regarding the World Council of Churches.   We are concerned when we find so many true, Bible-believing Christians who still hold membership in denominations which are a part of the WCC (see complete listing of USA and Canada member denominations on the last page).   We also believe that others, both within and without the church, who believe in our free-enterprise system should be in- formed as to how ecumenical church leaders are seeking to replace capitalism with some form of socialism or communism under the false label of the Kingdom of God. All quotations given in this article are either from the above-mentioned WCC publication or from one of the official documents presented at the meeting of the WCC Central Committee held in Kingston, Jamaica, January 1-11, 1979, which the author of this leaflet attended as a member of the press.   Thus, all information is strictly up-to-date and fully documentable. THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES begins with its organization in 1948 with 147 denominations from both Protestant and Orthodox back- grounds.   Today, it has grown to include 293 member denominations representing some 400 million people. It has been and is a major force and voice of what is commonly called ECUMENISM, a term used to describe the effort to bring all churches into "a visible unity in one faith and one eucharistic fellowship".   The WCC, while admitting that the ecumenical movement is broader than its own institution, claims with ample justification that it is "the

most nearly comprehensive instrument of the ecumenical movement in the world today".   It should be further noted that, while the original goal of the ecumenical movement and the WCC was "the unity of the churches", the new vision of the WCC is for the unity of all religions -- and, in fact, all mankind.   It should be clear to all who have been watching the WCC that it has become a modern Tower of Babel. THE DOCTRINAL POSITION OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is deceptive.   Supporters of the WCC frequently point to their doctrinal basis when charges of doctrinal heresies and deviations are leveled against the Council.   But be sure to read the fine print!   Be sure to observe how this doctrinal basis is either ignored or stretched beyond recognition. THE WCC's DOCTRINAL BASIS SIMPLY SAYS: "The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of Churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."   It is hard to find anything wrong with that, right?   However, two paragraphs later in this WCC publication, we read, "Since the World Council of Churches is not itself a church, it passes no judgment upon the sincerity with which member churches accept the basis."   Did you get that?   You can sign the WCC doctrinal basis whether or not you are sincere and no one will question it.   And in the very next paragraph we read the following: "Some very conservative churches judge the basis not biblical enough; some liberal churches DO NOT ACCEPT THE TRINITARIAN FORMULA."   What do you think about that?   How can anyone claim to be Christian who denies the Trinity?   Yet, the WCC admits it has such churches in membership.   In fact, the WCC actually boasts of and glories in their doctrinal diversities.   They admit that "Ecumenism exists by holding contradictions together." They admit that "it is impossible to speak of a single 'theology of the Council' as such."   We remind Bible- believers that such unity is not true Biblical unity -- it is plain, open disobedience to the Word of God.   II John 9-11. WCC DOCTRINAL DEVIATIONS WERE CLEARLY OBSERVABLE from the Central Committee documents in Jamaica.   For instance, note the FALSE TEACHING OF BAPTISMAL REGENERATION.   One document said, "Through Baptism every person is made part of the Christian Community . . ."   Again, "Through Baptism we are redeemed from the powers of sin and death and incor- porated into the one body of Christ."   Note also the FALSE TEACHING OF UNIVERSALISM: "Put succinctly, salvation is a total involvement of God in the world.   There is no sphere of life with which human beings, as individuals, as community or as nations, have to wrestle that is not related to God.   Jesus Christ is this total involvement of God.   In His life, suffering, cross and resurrection, all humanity with its agonies and struggles is judged, liberated and REDEEMED.   It is this Christ who has called us as Christians to follow him in God's continuing work of creation and re-creation."   And again, "Christians believe that all human beings are part of a dynamic pointing towards the messianic Kingdom . . . The Biblical witness refers to this final aim as the 'Kingdom of God' which

embraces the two dimensions of redemption of the whole of creation and personal fulfilment for each human being." No wonder the WCC is confused in its programs!   It is confused in its doctrine! THE POLITICAL RADICALISM OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is apparent.   Just as in the case of doctrinal diversities, the WCC boasts of its ability to hold together exact opposites in the realm of politics. They say, "On other issues the churches recognize strong differences of opinion and seek to maintain a continuing dialogue among their own members.   These differences are not limited to trivial matters.   For example, THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES INCLUDES PACI- FIST MEMBER CHURCHES . . . . IT ALSO INCLUDES REVOLUTIONARIES.   Both groups contribute insights to the WCC.   They continue to try to influence each other. And the WCC INCLUDES BOTH WITHIN ITS FELLOWSHIP."   There you have it in their own words. Do not forget for one minute, however, that when WCC leaders speak and WCC pronouncements are issued IT IS ALWAYS THE VOICE OF RADICALISM AND REVO- LUTION THAT IS HEARD.   There are repeated attacks upon "Western Imperialism" and "capitalism" but seldom a word of criticism for socialism and communism.   Non- communist dictatorships are repeatedly attacked but no word is ever spoken against the communist dictators. A few conservative voices are occasionally heard within WCC meetings -- but these rarely, if ever, become a part of the official statements which go to the governments of the world and to the United Nations as a "representative voice of the churches".   Those who claim that the WCC is becom- ing more "evangelical" are either blind or naive.   Evangelicals who remain in the WCC are being used as window dressing to hide the WCC apostasy. IN JAMAICA, A PRIME TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS THE $85,000 GRANT TO THE PATRIOTIC FRONT OF ZIMBABWE (actually a communist guerilla group). The Salvation Army, the Irish Presbyterian Church and a Lutheran Church in Germany have all suspended member- ship in protest.   Both the secular and religious press waited for some explanation, some justification of this atrocious grant to a group which has boasted of murdering mission- aries and shooting down a commercial airplane.   But all the press really got from the WCC was a charge that the news media had mis-represented and falsified the situation.   The WCC Central Committee stood behind its PCR Commission which had recommended the grant and the executive officers who approved it.   They concluded by saying that "although the adverse image and understanding of the PCR needs to be changed, the content and thrust of the PCR itself should not be changed."   Incidentally, PCR is the abbreviation for the WCC's "Program to Combat Racism" -- but in reality, it should be called the "Program to Continue Revolution".   Over three million dollars has been given to radical groups around the world.   While it is claimed that all monies in this fund come from designated gifts, this program could not operate without the administrative offices and support of the WCC.   Those who remain in membership in WCC affiliated churches cannot be absolved from responsibility for giving this aid to the revolutionaries around the world.

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW SOCIETY based on socialistic principles and deceitfully called "The Kingdom of God".   They state: "The participation of the Church in the creation of a new society is not a secondary or derivative dimension of its existence.   It begins at the very centre in the celebration of the sacraments as an anticipation of what the world is to become . . . ."   Dr. Philip Potter, WCC General Secretary, quoted from a 1969 WCC Central Committee directive as follows: "We call upon the churches to move beyond charity, grants and traditional programming to relevant and sacrificial action leading to new relationships of dignity and justice among all men and to become THE AGENTS FOR THE RADICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY."   He also made it perfectly clear what this involved when he said, "But the conflict has become intense when it has been perceived that A RADICAL CHANGE OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED AND NOT THE MERE PRUDENTIAL TRANSFER OF RE- SOURCES AND TECHNOLOGIES."   Another WCC document stated: "In the developed countries it means changes in the production structure and employment policies which will ONLY BE POSSIBLE THROUGH A CERTAIN 'SOCIALIZATION' of decisions that have so far been taken autonomously on the basis of interests of the private sector."   MR. BUSINESSMAN, MR. and MRS. FREEDOM-LOVING AMERICAN -- the World Council of Churches has made it abundantly clear what their goal is! Are you willing to sit idly by or even help support this effort to destroy the very foundations of our faith and freedom? THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SUBSTITUTES DIALOGUE FOR WITNESSING.   Having substituted the building of a new society in place of the preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, it is not surprising that the WCC should forsake "witness" for "dialogue" even while claiming that dialogue is a form of witness.   In recent years, the WCC has been engaged in official dialogues with almost everyone -- Roman Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Humanists, Traditional African Religions and Communists.   As previously noted, the original goal of "Christian unity" has been superseded with the goal of the "unity of all mankind".   They say, "opportunities and occasions for dialogue cannot and must not be confined to men of religious faiths but also must involve men of secular ideologies."   This dialogue program is attractively presented as the WCC claims: "Dialogue offers the promise of dis- covering new dimensions of understanding our faith." One repeatedly is told of how dialogue "enriches dimensions of understanding our faith" but strangely, nothing is ever said about proclaiming the truth of the gospel in such a way that men "turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God." IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT DIALOGUE IS INDEED ONE OF THE GREAT DANGERS AND DE- CEPTIONS BEING PRACTICED AND ENCOURAGED BY THE WCC.   What is dialogue?   According to their own definition, dialogue is, ". . . an OPENING OF THE MIND AND HEART TO OTHERS.   It is an undertaking which requires RISK as well as a deep sense of vocation . . . . THIS OPENING, THIS RISK, this vocation this sensitivity

are at the heart of the ecumenical movement and in the deepest currents of the life of the churches."   Further, the WCC says, "Love requires us to recognize and respect the integrity of our partners who enter into dialogue from the standpoint of their faith and commitment."   This is exactly the opposite of Biblical teaching.   God says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."   Ephesians 5:11.   The WCC tells us that dialogue is a required form of witness in a pluralistic world, yet they take special pains to assure their partners in dialogue that they "come not as manipulators but as genuine fellow-pilgrims . . . ."   The WCC principle of dialogue implies that the Christian is a searcher for truth rather than a pro- claimer of the Truth.   The WCC says, "Be open, be vulnerable, take a risk."   The Word of God says, "Beware!"   "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."   Matthew 7:15.   Will you follow Christ or the WCC? THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND THE UNITED NATIONS continue their close ties.   In fact, we might call them "blood brothers".   There were repeated favorable references to all sorts of UN programs in the Central Committee Documents at Jamaica -- The New International Economic Order, the New International Information Order, the World Health Organization, the World Court, UNESCO, etc.   It was reported that "an inter- vention was made on behalf of the WCC in the Security Council debate on South Africa in March 1977."   It was stated that they were seeking "to sensitize churches, inviting them to lobby with their governments . . . as well as to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."   The WCC issued a special document promoting the UN sponsored International Year of the Child, totally ignoring the fact that even though this appeal is made with the image of starving children in mind, the real thrust of this program is toward socialization of the child and the family.   Individual believers and churches that are opposed to the philosophy and program of the UN should realize that it is not their voice which is heard in places of power and decision -- it is the voice of the false prophets in the WCC that prevail and speak for you whether you like it or not. THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES stands for DISARMAMENT and against U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY. The WCC is geared for a massive propaganda effort against our historic concept of national security.   They want complete and unilateral disarmament -- and they want it now.   But it is ironic that at the very time the WCC is attacking America and the nations of the Free World for wanting to maintain national security, they are insisting on national sovereignty and security for the many new nations and governments which have been formed through com- munist revolutions.   Following the WCC "Program for Disarmament and Against Militarism and the Arms Race" would leave America defenseless against her enemies. Yet, the Central Committee in Jamaica said that the churches should give "the highest priority" to implemen- tation of this program.   But if you read the entire document, you find that the WCC has taken this strong position in spite of the admission that they have not fully explored the underlying theological issues.   They say, "These two meetings . . . have underlined the need for more substantial

work on the theological issues involved.   They have posed questions rather than providing answers."   What dangerous hypocrisy and liberal bias this reveals.   Americans should remember that nations which lose their freedom rarely have a second chance. THE CONFUSION, DOUBLE-TALK AND CONTRA- DICTIONS IN FACT OF THE WCC ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE TO ANYONE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME TO STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN!   As the years have slipped by with little progress toward the goal of "one visible church", their frustrations have been manifested in the use of clever language to hide their failures.   Instead of "One Church" we hear talk of "conciliar fellowship" and "unity in reconciled diversity" and trying to "relate the right kind of diversity to the right kind of unity."   Through the years, they have followed the old ecumenical motto, "Service Unites, Doctrine Divides".   But in spite of their wish to ignore doctrine, the issue continues to re-appear.   At times, WCC leaders introduce new word games or "theological breakthroughs" which they announce with a great fanfare, seeking to revive the hopes of their disillusioned followers. THE LATEST "BRIGHT SPOT" ON THE WCC's THEOLOGICAL HORIZON is the idea that while they may not all be able to agree on the content of their faith, they can still agree that there is HOPE.   The problem is that they cannot even agree on what that HOPE is.   One of the WCC documents at Jamaica said, "The difference between the hopes expressed from different parts of the world -- Africa, Latin America, North America, Eastern Europe -- diverged so widely that ONE WAS TEMPTED TO ASK WHETHER THEY WERE SPEAKING OF THE SAME HOPE or indeed whether they can even give a common account of hope." But they went on to state, "Yet, the common attempt itself has become a source of hope."   How sad it is that those in the WCC are ignoring the Bible which tells us plainly that our hope -- our only hope -- is the return of Jesus Christ.   Titus 2:13.   How sad it is that they ignore the teaching of Scripture that the Kingdom of God is not some socialistic kingdom established through the efforts of man, but a perfect and righteous Kingdom to be set up by our Lord Jesus Christ in spite of and apart from any effort of man to either thwart or aid the establishment of that Kingdom.   Daniel 2:44.   Revelation 19:13-16. AT THE VERY HEART OF THE WHOLE MATTER IS THE FAILURE OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TO ACCEPT THE BIBLE as the authoritative, infallible, inerrant, eternal, unchangeable Word of God. Note the following: "In the WCC we experience both the possibility for common confession of faith and worship together and also the obstacles to Christian unity.   We are agreed in giving vital place in our thinking to Bible study and worship; we are able to worship our one Lord in the very different way of the churches represented among us. YET WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF PROBLEMS CON- CERNING THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE REMAIN- ING UNSOLVED AMONG US and of the fact that we are not yet part of one eucharistic fellowship.   It is not sur- prising therefore that there is controversy among Christians about the meditative use (rather than simply the intellectual study) of the holy books of other faiths and about the QUESTION OF COMMON WORSHIP BETWEEN THOSE

OF DIFFERENT FAITHS."   One speaker said, "The document on Hope coming out of Bangalore had succeeded in bringing out the fruitful tension between doctrinal unity and union in radical involvement in human hopes. But it has not settled the underlying question."   What is that underlying question?   "The problem is no longer the problem of loving one another, but the problem of understanding the faith."   The doctrinal basis of the WCC is an empty shell -- a front to deceive the unwary.   Only by accepting God's Word as our only, absolute and final authority can we enter into true unity with those who truly belong to Christ -- and at the same time be fully separated from those who appear as angels of light but are in reality the servants of Satan. MANY OTHER PROGRAMS AND FACETS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES could be helpfully presented and documented if space permitted.   Take Roman Catholicism for example.   The WCC has grown so close to the Roman Catholic Church that they now say, "The days of winning converts from each other are over . . . ."   Take the question of communism.   You will never find the WCC to be anti-communist.   In fact, they state plainly, "The story of primitive anti-communism and anti-communist crusades in the Christian Church is a long and sad one." Red Agents and Communist puppet church leaders sit, work and propagandize at all levels of the WCC organi- zation.   The WCC and the NCC have been decisive forces in preparing the way for the shameful U.S. recognition of Red China.   Though denying charges of pro- communism, the WCC track record is a long and consistent testimony to the fact that they are one of communism's strongest and best allies.   The WCC is doing everything possible to in- doctrinate young people into the radical, revolutionary ecumenical philosophy.   It was reported that four young people, including one WCC staff person, attended the "11th World Festival of Youth and Students" in Cuba in 1978.   They reported a "warm and wholehearted welcome from the Cuban people and the freedom to move around the island and to talk to the people."   And what was the purpose of this meeting?   They said, "These meetings pro- vided opportunities for the Christian Youth to discuss the issues of the festival and the meaning of Christian commit- ment today, AS WELL AS TO EXPRESS SOLIDARITY IN THE STRUGGLES FOR JUSTICE AND AGAINST IMPERIALISM IN THE WORLD TODAY."   Is there any talk of struggling against Communism?   Oh, no, it is only against Imperialism! THE NEXT THREE YEARS WILL BE CRITICAL YEARS FOR THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, largely because of severe financial problems.   The fact that most of the WCC money comes from the USA, coupled with the devaluation of the dollar in comparison with the Swiss Franc, means that the WCC is faced with what one leader called "The moment of truth in WCC finances".   To avoid drastic and immediate cut-backs of staff and programs, they approved deficit spending for the next three years, drawing on reserves or even borrowing if necessary. Financing is apparently already in hand or in view to pro- ceed with their big conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 12-24, 1979, on the theme, "FAITH, SCIENCE AND THE FUTURE" and their big missionary-evangelism conference to be held in Melbourne, Australia, May 12-25,

1980, on the theme "YOUR KINGDOM COME".   The 1979 conference will seek to join religion and science to further socialism and the 1980 meeting will promote socialism in the name of the Kingdom of God. IF ONLY GOD'S PEOPLE WOULD WAKE UP AND SEE HOW THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS USING THE CHURCHES TO DESTROY THE VERY FOUN- DATIONS OF FAITH AND FREEDOM, what a difference it could make!   If only God's people would immediately withhold support and withdraw membership from the WCC and then begin attending and supporting only those churches that refuse to compromise with the ecumenical apostasy, what a difference it would make!   Further loss of support now could be critical for the WCC.   Are you one of those who are supporting the WCC by your finances and membership even while decrying its heretical, radical programs?   If so, why not obey God -- COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE (II Corinthians 6:14-18) and join hands with those who are willing to stand up and speak out for our God-given liberties which enable us to preach the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ instead of a socialist revolution. WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES MEMBER DENOMINATIONS IN THE USA AND CANADA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA African Methodist Episcopal Church; African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A; American Lutheran Church; The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of New York and all North America; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Church of the Brethren; The Episcopal Church; Hungarian Reformed Church in America; International Evangelical Church; Lutheran Church in America; Moravian Church in America (Northern Province); Moravian Church in America (Southern Province); National Baptist Convention of America; National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.; National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; National Council of Community Churches; The Ortho- dox Church in America; Polish National Catholic Church of America; Presbyterian Church in the United States; Progressive National Baptist Convention; Reformed Church in America; Religious Society of Friends -- Friends General Conference -- Friends United Meetings; United Church of Christ; The United Methodist Church; The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. CANADA The Anglican Church of Canada; Canadian Council of Churches; Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada; The Presbyterian Church in Canada; The United Church of Canada. Fundamental Evangelistic Association P. O. Box 6278 Los Osos, California 93412

When I See The Blood by C. H. Spurgeon "The Prince of Preachers" God's people are always safe.   But God's people are only safe through the blood of Christ.   They are bought with the precious blood of Christ. Nothing can hurt them because "the blood" is upon them.   It was so that night in Egypt; God spared because He saw the blood-mark on the lintel and on the two side-posts.   And so it is with us. In the case of the Israelites, it was the blood of the paschal lamb.   In our case, it is the blood of a divinely appointed victim.   Jesus Christ did not come into this world unappointed.   He was sent by His Father.   Sinner! The blood of Christ is well-pleasing to God; for God Himself did send Christ to be the Redeemer and He Himself did lay upon Him the iniquity of us all.   It was God's will that the blood of Jesus should be shed.   Jesus is God's chosen Saviour for men. Sinner! He is able to save you.

Christ Jesus, like the lamb, was not only a divinely appointed victim, but he was spotless. Had there been one sin in Christ, He had not been capable of being our Saviour -- but He was without sin.   Turn, then, your eye to the cross and see Jesus bleeding there and dying for you.   Remember, "For sins not His own, He died to atone."   The blood of Jesus is able to save thee because He died, "the just for the unjust".   (I Peter 3:18) But some say, "Whence has the blood of Christ such power to save?"   Not only because God appointed that blood and because it was the blood of a spotless being, but because Christ Himself was God.   If Christ were man only, there would be no efficacy in His blood to save. The blood is once shed for the remission of sin.   The paschal lamb was slain every year. But Christ, once for all, hath put away sin by the offering of Himself.   He has said, "It is finished".   (John 19:30)   Let that ring in thine ears. For a moment, try to picture to yourself Christ on the cross.   Lift now your eyes and see the three crosses upon that rising knoll.   See in the center the thorn-crowned brow of Christ. See the hands nailed fast to the accursed tree! See His face, more marred than that of any other man.   See it now as His head bows upon His bosom in the agonies of death!   He was a real man, remember.   It was a real cross.   Do not

think of these things as fancies and romance. There was such a being and He died as I describe it.   Sit still a moment and think: "The blood of that Man, whom now I behold dying, must be my redemption.   And if I would be saved, I must put my only trust in what He suffered for me."   God says, "when I see the blood, I will pass over you".   (Exodus 12:13) The blood of Christ -- nothing but it can ever save the soul.   If some foolish Israelite had despised the command of God and had said, "I will sprinkle something else upon the door- posts," or, "I will adorn the lintel with jewels of gold and silver," he must have perished. Nothing could save his household but the sprinkled blood.   And, now, let us all remember that "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."   (I Corinthians 3:11)   My works, my prayers, my tears cannot save me.   The blood, the blood alone, has power to redeem. Sacraments cannot save me.   Nothing but the blood of Jesus has the slightest saving power. O you that are trusting in baptism, confirmation or the Lord's Supper -- nothing but the blood can save.   I care not how right the ordinance, how true the form, how scriptural the practice: it is all vanity to you if you rely on it to save. God forbid that I should say a word against ordinances or against holy things -- but keep them in their places.   If you make them the basis of your soul's salvation, they are lighter than a shadow.   There is not -- I repeat it again -- the slightest atom of saving power

anywhere but in the blood of Jesus.   That blood only has the power to save.   The blood stands out the only rock of our salvation. So jealous is God about this that anything you put with Christ, however good it is, becomes, from the fact of your putting it with Him, an accursed thing.   And what is it that thou wouldst put with Christ?   Thy good works? What! wilt thou yoke a reptile with an angel -- yoke thyself to the chariot of salvation with Christ?   What are thy good works?   Thy righteousnesses are "as filthy rags" -- and shall filthy rags be joined to the spotless Christ? It must not be.   Rely on Jesus only, and thou canst not perish.   But, rely on anything with Him and thou are as surely condemned as if thou shouldst rely on thy sins.   Jesus only -- this is the rock of our salvation. "Oh," says one, "I could trust in Christ if I felt my sins more."   Sir, is thy repentance to be a part-Saviour?   The blood is to save thee, not thy tears; Christ's death, not thy repentance.   Thou art bidden this day to trust in Christ, not in thy feelings on account of sin. Many a man has been brought into great soul-distress because he has looked more at his repentance than at Christ: "Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone, Thou must save and Thou alone." "Nay" says another, "But I feel that I do not

value the blood of Christ as I ought, and, therefore, I am afraid to believe."   My friend, that is another insidious form of the same error.   God does not say, "When I see your estimate of the blood of Christ, I will pass over you."   No, but, "when I see the blood". It is not your estimate of that blood -- it is the blood that saves you.   As I said before, that magnificent, solitary blood must be alone. "Nay" says another, "but if I had more faith, then I should have hope."   That, too, is a very deadly shape of the same evil.   Your are not saved by the efficacy of your faith but by the efficacy of the blood of Christ.   I bid you believe, but I bid you not to look to your believing as the ground of your salvation.   No man will go to Heaven if he trusts to his own faith.   You may as well trust to your own good works as trust to your faith.   Your faith cannot hang upon itself -- it must hang on Christ.   You must not think of your faith, but of Christ.   Faith comes from meditation upon Christ.   Turn, then, your eye, not upon faith but upon Jesus.   It is not the efficacy of your believing in Him; it is the efficacy of His blood applied to you through the Spirit. I do not know how sufficiently to follow Satan in all his windings into the human heart.   But this I know -- he is always trying to keep back this great truth: The blood, and the blood alone, has power to save.

"Oh," yet says another, "If I had such-and-such an experience, then I could trust."   Friend, it is not thine experience -- it is the blood.   God did not say, "When I see your experience," but, "when I see the blood [of Christ.]"   Acquire experience, cultivate the Christian graces.   But, oh, do not put them where Christ's blood ought to be. I hear Thy welcome voice         That calls me, Lord, to Thee For cleansing in Thy precious Blood         That followed Calvary. All hail, Atoning Blood!         All hail, Redeeming Grace! All hail, the Gift of Christ, our Lord,         Our Strength and Righteousness.

WHY A CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED IN DAYS OF DIFFICULTY

1. BECAUSE he has a Father in Heaven who loves him, cares for him and has blessed him with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.   (John 16:27; Luke 12:22-28; Ephesians 1:3). -- "For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God."   (John 16:27) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1:3). 2. BECAUSE he has a Great High Priest in Heaven to sympathize with him, succour and support him and to conduct him into heavenly things.   (Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 8:1-6). 3. BECAUSE he has a Great and Good Shepherd to lead him and to feed him all the way home.   (Psalm 23; Hebrews 13:20-21). 4. BECAUSE he has an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous, who pleads his cause and always prevails.   (I John 1:8-10; 2:1). -- "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.   And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" (I John 2:1). 5. BECAUSE he has a Divine Counseller to go to for advice at all times.   (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 4:9; Proverbs 3:5-6). 6. BECAUSE he has an Abiding Comforter (the Holy Spirit) to guide him into all truth, to teach him all things and to take of the things of Christ and show them unto him.   (John 14: 16-17; 16:13-14).

7. BECAUSE he has a Throne of Grace to go to where he can obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.   (Hebrews 4:14-16; I John 5:14-15; Philippians 4:6-7). 8. BECAUSE he has the Holy Scriptures to search and study, which testify of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. (I Peter 1:6-11; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:4-8). -- "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."   (I Thessalonians 2:13) 9. BECAUSE angels minister unto him, being an heir of salvation.   (Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 103:17-21). -- "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14). 10. BECAUSE he is an heir to an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven, and is kept by the power of God until he comes into possession.   (I Peter 1:3-5). 11. BECAUSE he has the interests of Christ to engage him until the return of his Lord. (Ephesians 6:18-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26; I Timothy 2:1-6). 12. BECAUSE he has before him the bright and blessed hope of the Lord's appearing in glory when all His saints will appear with Him and be like Him and reign with Him for ever and ever.   (Titus 2:13-14; I John 3:2; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:9-11). -- "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."   (I John 3:2)

IN CHRIST WE HAVE Love that can never be fathomed. Life that can never die. Righteousness that can never be tarnished. Peace that can never be understood. Joy that can never be diminished. Hope that can never be disappointed. Glory that can never be clouded. Light that can never be darkened. Purity that can never be defiled. Beauty that can never be marred. Wisdom that can never be baffled. Resources that can never be exhausted.

I remember one time when I was stuffing envelopes at the Fundamental Bible Church, with my wife and I said to one of the parishioners that I was against dictatorships and he said back to me angrily with a angry face: what do you think the Bible is?